up the creek

== English == === Alternative forms === up a creek, up a creek without a paddle, up the creek without a paddle === Etymology === American English. === Pronunciation === === Prepositional phrase === up the creek (idiomatic) In trouble; in a difficult situation. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:difficult situation ==== Usage notes ==== The addition of "without a paddle" in alternative forms is considered by some to suggest an intensification of the difficulty of the situation. ==== Synonyms ==== up shit creek ==== Translations ==== === Further reading === “up the creek (without a paddle)”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang, Jonathon Green, 2016–present