Queer Street

American  

noun

1. a condition of financial instability or embarrassment.

   Such extravagance will surely put them in Queer Street.

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queer street British  

noun

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

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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

However, Falk is a great-hearted fellow who understands that a man may suddenly find himself in Queer Street.

From The Red Room by Strindberg, August

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

If you had gone to any low member of the profession, it's my firm conviction, and I assure you of it as a fact, that you would have found yourselves in Queer Street before this.

From The Pickwick Papers by Dickens, Charles

"A good many of them have their address in Queer Street."

From Thoroughbreds by Fraser, William Alexander