be up the creek (without a paddle)
(also be up shit creek (without a paddle) ) to be in a very difficult situation

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

up the creek
up the creek (without a paddle)
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

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

up the creek
in trouble
She is up the creek now that she has lost her passport.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

up the creek
adj. phr., informal In trouble or difficulty and unable to do anything about it; stuck.
Father said that if the car ran out of gas in the middle of the desert, we would be up the creek without a paddle.
I'll be up the creek if I don't pass this history test.
Compare: DEEP WATER, IN THE SOUP, UP A TREE, OUT OF LUCK.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲