Skip to main content
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

up a paddle without a creek 

A kind and polite way to say that someone has a stick up their ass. It's saying that someone is being overly stubborn, that they're refusing to come to terms with a situation, or that they're being waaay too strict about something and they're making a mountain out of a molehill.
-- Excerpt from "Kung Fu Panda" --
Master Shifu: "Tai Lung has broken out of prison! He's on his way!"
Master Oogway: "That is bad news. If you believe that the dragon warrior cannot stop him."
Master Shifu: "The panda?!? Master, that panda is not the dragon warrior! He wasn't even meant to be here! It was an accident."
Master Oogway: "There are no accidents."
Master Shifu: "Yes, I know. You've said that already."
Master Oogway: "Heh, well, it looks like you're up a paddle without a creek. And if you are up a paddle, the paddle is up you."

Up shit creek without a paddle 

In Australia it means that you're in a lot of trouble, with no foreseeable way out.
"Oh man, I can't believe I lost my paperwork; that stuff took me hours and it needs to be in by tomorrow!"
"Sounds like you're up shit creek without a paddle, mate."

Up shit creek without a paddle 

(Idiom) To be in an undesirable situation*.
*Elitist would actually enjoy this.

up a creek without a paddle 

in a difficult situation with no simple solution
If you do something like that you'll be up a creek without a paddle.

Up shit creek without a paddle 

struggling hopelessly, but bravely, in a very unfortunate situation
We truly are up shit creek without a paddle here!

up shit creek without a paddle 

When one is caught in a precarious situation where the likelihood of it ending in something positive is virtually non-existent.
I can't believe I hit that car with my Mom's new car. I have been driving around aimlessly for the past 2 hours because as soon as she sees this dent, I'm up shit creek without a paddle.

wrong situation
More from Urban Dictionary

briefcake 

"Did you check out the briefcake in courtroom C?"
briefcake by Ben Frey April 6, 2006
Word of the Day on November 3, 2026
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026

countrypolitan 

Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026

Witch Bath 

A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
She brought home alot of stuff and took it to the bathroom. She must be taking a witch bath.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026

kinktober 

An excuse for people to write porn with different types of kinks throughout the month of October.

Smut Fanfiction
That chick doesn't write often but when she does, its for Kinktober.
kinktober by Kinkiest July 12, 2018
Word of the Day on October 30, 2026

proper lad 

a lad that is such a lad that he is a proper lad
person1:did you see bob
person2: ya he was a proper lad
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026
Load more