Definitions for up the creek
up the creek

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. up the creekadjective

   In trouble; in a difficult situation.

2. Etymology: This phrase may have come from Haslar Creek in Portsmouth harbour, a 'salt' creek (may be origin of alternative 'up a shit creek'). Wounded sailors during Nelson's time, were taken there to be admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar to die or recover. The ship's moored up in the Solent and the wounded soldiers were transported up Haslar creek by tramline hence 'Up the creek without a paddle'. They were held prisoner so that they would not desert while being treated, and some tried to escape by going through the sewers to the creek (another suggested origin of the alternative 'up a shit creek'). Without a paddle this would be hopeless, hence the phrase 'up the creek (without a paddle)' to mean being trapped, stuck or in trouble. Much very obscure navy related jargon entered popular culture in the seafaring peoples of the British Isles, and thus entered the English language as a whole.

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1. Up the Creek

   Up the Creek is a 1984 comedy film, directed by Robert Butler. Although the film itself was not as popular as other "college romp" films, the four lead parts all came to the film with experience in popular comedies, most notably Animal House and Porky's.

How to pronounce up the creek?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say up the creek in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of up the creek in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of up the creek in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of up the creek in a Sentence

1. Pierce County Sheriff Department:

   The missing man reportedly often went hiking with his dog, but did not leave a note where he was going and had failed to return home after dark, the man's wife reported finding recent internet searches by her husband for geocaching in the Evans Creek area.

2. Jason Jensen:

   He writes this farcical tale about her falling down and getting injured while crossing Spread Creek, and describes how he couldn't leave her behind.

3. Adriana Lima:

   The security gate at the entrance and 24/7 patrol serves as a way to ensure only homeowners, their guests, and members enter Indian Creek Island. This is a crucial reason that celebrities such as Julio Iglesias, Adriana Lima, Carl Icahn, Jeffrey Soffer, Eddie Lampert and Peter Breton -- amongst many others -- have lived there.

4. Avalanche Canada:

   Steep-sided depressions, such as gullies, creek beds, and ditches will trap moving snow and cause the avalanche to accumulate much more deeply in a small area, trees, rocks, and cliffs can lead to greater injury if you're caught in an avalanche.

5. South African golfer Charl Schwartzel:

   I am hugely disappointed to be missing out on the SA Open, everybody knows how keen I am to win our national Open and, having come so close the last couple of years and following my good form at Leopard Creek, I was really looking forward to contending at Glendower.

References

1. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Up_the_Creek
2. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=up the creek