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• 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.

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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

"It was a bit rough on her, but Jacobi was in Queer Street just then, and the old fellow gave him a helping hand."

From Herb of Grace by Carey, Rosa Nouchette

If I hadn’t been there, you’d have been pretty considerably in Queer Street by this time.

From A College Girl by Groome, William H. C.

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