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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.

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

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2023

We wore our rubber boots everywhere and carried 5-gallon buckets up the creek beds, picking fat, ripe salmonberries to help our mom make jam, pies and wine.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2020

“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

It works like this: fish swim up the creek and into a ladder.

From Washington Times • Oct. 6, 2018

So I start her and head up the creek for Mr. Woodwell’s place.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.