Up shit creek without a paddle Meaning in English

expression

US

UP SHIT KREEK wi-THOWT uh PAD-l

UK

UP-shit KREEK with-OWT uh PAD-uhl

Definition

This slang expression means to be in a very bad or hopeless situation, usually with no way out or solution.

Usage & Nuances

Very informal and vulgar; usually spoken for humorous effect. Avoid in professional settings. Can be replaced with 'in deep trouble' or 'in a tough spot' if you want to be polite.

• Spanish: estar metido en un buen lío - estar en un aprieto muy grande
• Portuguese (BR): estar completamente en apuros - estar no fundo do poço (informal)
• Portuguese (PT): estar metido num grande sarilho - estar tramado (informal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 陷入绝境 - 走投无路 (俚语)
• Chinese (Traditional): 陷入絕境 - 走投無路 (俚語)
• Hindi: बहुत बड़ी मुसीबत में पड़ना - फँस जाना (अत्यंत अनौपचारिक)
• Arabic: واقع في ورطة كبيرة - في مأزق كبير (تعبير عامي)
• Bengali: বিপদে পড়া - বড় সমস্যায় পড়া (অশ্লীল)
• Russian: в полной заднице - в полной жопе (грубое)
• Japanese: 絶体絶命 - 完全にお手上げ（スラング）
• Vietnamese: rơi vào tình thế không lối thoát - gặp rắc rối to
• Korean: 진퇴양난에 빠지다 - 완전히 곤경에 처하다 (속어, 비속어)
• Turkish: tam anlamıyla başı belada olmak - çok kötü durumda olmak (argo, küfürlü)
• Urdu: بری طرح پھنس جانا (غیراخلاقی انداز میں)
• Indonesian: benar-benar dalam masalah besar - mati kutu (kasar)

Example Sentences

If we lose all our money, we'll be up shit creek without a paddle.

basic

She forgot her passport at home, so now she's up shit creek without a paddle at the airport.

basic

When the car broke down in the middle of nowhere, they were up shit creek without a paddle.

basic

Without the backup files, we're really up shit creek without a paddle now.

natural

Trust me, if your boss finds out, you'll be up shit creek without a paddle.

natural

I forgot the tickets and we're already on the train. We're basically up shit creek without a paddle.

natural