By the book idiom meaning up a creek

Manufacturing really is up the creek without a paddle. The phrase by the book is an english idiom, or saying, that means to do something in the correct or proper manner. December 1994 more colorful texas sayings than you can shake a stick at. Up a creek up shit creek meaning of idiom up the creek without a paddle to be up the creek means to be in trouble, in a serious. Often shortened to be up the creek, this expression is recorded in the mid 20th century as military slang for lost for example, while on a patrol. If someone is up the creek, they are in a bad or difficult situation. Up the creek definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Up a creek without a paddle means you are in deep trouble and there is nothing you can do about it. This idiom comes from the visual of being in a rowboat and losing one of your paddles. Synonyms for up the creek at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions.

This idiom is similar in meaning to to be in hot water. Definition of be up the creek in the idioms dictionary. If any more people resign, well be really up the creek. You can also use the full expression, up the creek without a paddle. Up the creek without a paddle idioms and phrases, english. What does the idiom up a creek without a paddle mean. If any more people quit, well really be up the creek. These rules may be written in an actual book, but they may also be societal norms that are widely accepted, even if not written. An expression describing something as not lined up or arranged correctly. Learn about idioms trouble in episode 87 of the flatmates our interactive soap for intermediate. A selection of idioms and their meaning, for students and english language. It is thought that this saying originally referred to the christian bible, though its current meaning simply refers to any written or implied set of rules governing the activity a. Meanings and origins of australian words and idioms anu school. It refers to completing a task according to the rules or without cutting any corners to save time.

This slangy idiom conjures up the image of a stranded canoeist with no way of moving paddling the canoe. To do something by the book is to follow the set rules and guidelines and carry something out using the typical, accepted methods. To be up the creek means to be in a prickly predicament with no means of alleviating the problem. Up the creek and up a creek idiom definition grammarist. Bbc world service learning english the flatmates language.

If we lose another player through injury were basically up the creek. In trouble, in a serious predicament, as in if the check doesnt arrive today im up a creek, or the car wouldnt start, so i was up the creek without a paddle. The full idiom is up the creek without a paddle, though it is often shortened to simply up the creek. By the book meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. To fold down a corner of a page to mark a place in a book, or something from paper. More colorful texas sayings than you can shake a stick at. The companys recent collapse has left their pension fund members up the creek. Urban dictionary and our advertising partners set cookies on your computer to improve our site and the advertisements you see. Book up definition, a handwritten or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of paper fastened or bound together within covers. The list of idioms and expressions below is by no means complete, and, indeed, as the. The phrase has now lost all connection with its rhyming slang origin.

Up the creek meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. Another iteration of the phrase involves a slang scatological word. A shortened version of up a creek without a paddle. Up a creek definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Shes up a creek without a paddle, now that her best friend is no longer in charge. Creek wordreference english dictionary, questions, discussion and forums.