Jump To:

• Queer Street
  Queer Street

  noun

  a condition of financial instability or embarrassment.
• queer street
  queer street

  noun

  (sometimes capitals) a difficult situation, such as debt or bankruptcy (in the phrase in queer street )

Queer Street

American  

noun

1. a condition of financial instability or embarrassment.

   Such extravagance will surely put them in Queer Street.

---

queer street British  

noun

1. informal (sometimes capitals) a difficult situation, such as debt or bankruptcy (in the phrase in queer street )

---

Etymology

Origin of Queer Street

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

He was dumped on the seat of his pants, got up in Queer Street and hung on.

From The Guardian • Jul. 16, 2012

We have only three days' food with us and shall be in Queer Street if we miss the depot.

From South with Scott by Mountevans, Edward Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, baron

I have got the run of Queer Street now, and you shall see some games there.

From Our Mutual Friend by Dickens, Charles

It's quite likely he's been gettin' into Queer Street, for he was always speculatin' in horseflesh, and I fancy he plunged a bit on the Turf.

From Huntingtower by Buchan, John

Oh yes, I did!" he replied, "We never got to Queer Street; but I found another way.

From Sylvie and Bruno by Carroll, Lewis