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 a paddle without a creek by Coran17 October 18, 2023

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 a creek without a paddle by Light Joker June 7, 2007

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 by Lyrebleu November 2, 2013

Up shit creek without a paddle 

(Idiom) To be in an undesirable situation*.

*Elitist would actually enjoy this.

Up shit creek without a paddle by Kung-Fu Jesus May 10, 2004

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 by SpongeRobert November 4, 2018

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

up shit creek without a paddle by TheBigCanucklehead March 15, 2015

up shit creek without a paddle 

A Scottish slang term meaning to be stuck in a bad situation without anyway of fixing it. The bad situation being 'shit creek' and the 'paddle' being the solution.

Germans: 'Oh nao, we haz lost WW1 and now have tons of debt and our country is facing hyperinflation!'

The Allies: 'Hahahaha, they're up shit creek without a paddle now! *slaps knee*'

up shit creek without a paddle by gregonfire November 24, 2010