Definitions

up the creek

ADJECTIVE

behind the eight ball

Synonyms

WEAK

in Dutch in a pickle in a tight spot in hot water on the hot seat on-the-spot out on a limb

ADJECTIVE

defenseless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

helpless unarmed unprotected

WEAK

caught endangered exposed hands tied in line of fire indefensible like a clay pigeon like a sitting duck naked on the line on-the-spot open out on limb pigeon poor unguarded weak wide open

Antonyms

WEAK

powerful strong

ADJECTIVE

desperate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

despondent forlorn futile sad vain

STRONG

downcast goner

WEAK

at end of one's rope back to the wall can't win dead duck despairing desponding gone hard up in the soup in the toilet inconsolable irrecoverable irremediable irretrievable no chance no-win running out of time sunk up against it useless wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful happy hopeful joyful

WEAK

calm confident content contented satisfactory satisfied secure unworried

ADJECTIVE

hopeless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

desperate forlorn helpless impossible pointless sad tragic useless

WEAK

bad beyond recall cynical dejected demoralized despairing despondent disconsolate discouraging downhearted fatal gone goner ill-fated impracticable in despair incurable irredeemable irreparable irreversible irrevocable lost menacing no-win past hope shot down sinister sunk threatening unachievable unavailing unfortunate unmitigable vain woebegone worsening

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful good happy hopeful joyful

WEAK

auspicious bright encouraging expectant optimistic promising propitious rosy

ADJECTIVE

irremediable

Synonyms

WEAK

bad beyond recall cureless cynical dejected demoralized despairing desperate despondent disconsolate discouraging downhearted fatal forlorn gone goner helpless ill-fated impossible impracticable in despair incurable irredeemable irreparable irreversible irrevocable lost menacing no-win past hope pointless sad shot down sinister sunk threatening tragic unachievable unavailing unfortunate unmitigable useless vain woebegone worsening

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If the Labour Party is up the creek without a paddle after last week, to revert to Yank lingo, it also finds itself in an anomalous position.

From Salon • May 10, 2026

Meanwhile, Palace appear to be up the creek without a paddle.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2023

The Corps has been cleaning up the creek for more than 20 years.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2022

“It only takes one or two of the girls being sick, or one of the two of them quitting, for me to not be covered. And then you’re up the creek without a paddle.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 14, 2019

Lying low made sense because we were up the creek with models based on sugar-phosphate cores.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

up the creek

Example Sentences

Related Words