up the creek

up the creek or up the creek without a paddle  {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.
Categories: trouble {adj. phr.} {informal}