creek (redirected from being up the creek)

God willing and the creek don't rise and Lord willing and the creek don't rise

Rur. If all goes well. Tom: Will you be able to get the house painted before the cold weather sets in? Jane: Yes, God willing and the creek don't rise. We'll be able to visit our daughter for Christmas, Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

See also: and, god, rise, willing

up the creek (without a paddle) and up a creek; up shit creek

Inf. Fig. in an awkward position with no easy way out. I'm sort of up the creek and don't know what to do. You are up a creek! You got yourself into it, so get yourself out.

See also: up

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be up the creek (without a paddle)  (informal) also be up shit creek (without a paddle) (very informal!)

to be in a very difficult situation that you are not able to improve If the car breaks down we're really up the creek. He'll be up shit creek unless he finds the money to pay off his loan.

See also: up

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up the creek (without a paddle) also up a creek

in an extremely difficult situation All those people who have money invested in it are going to be up the creek.

Etymology: based on the idea of being in a small boat in a stream and not having a paddle (short pole with a wide, flat part) with which to move it

See also: up