Green’s Dictionary of Slang

shtuck n.

In phrases

in (dead/right) shtuck (adj.) (also in (dead/right) schtook, …schtuck, …shtook, …stook, …stuck) [Yid. shtook, difficulties]

in trouble.

1959		F. Norman Fings I i: When that new Bill goes through you’re going to be in dead stook ain’t you, Sergeant.
1959		F. Norman in Lilliput June in Norman’s London (1969) 81: So one way and another I was dead in shtook.
1961		T. Taylor Baron’s Court All Change (2011) 106: ‘Dangerous people, them. Get yer in right shtook’.
1962		F. Norman Guntz 177: He wound up in dead shtook with his bank.
1970		G.F. Newman Sir, You Bastard 249: The filth, who was supposed to be in dead shtook, was sitting there like he owned the gaff.
1971		N. Smith Gumshoe (1998) 30: Tommy, I’m in schtuck.
1977		D. Powis Signs of Crime 201: Shtook Counterfeit Yiddish-sounding expression meaning an unpleasant situation: ‘I’ve been left in shtook all right!’.
1981		J. Sullivan ‘The Second Time Around’ Only Fools and Horses [TV script] Got you out of schtuck didn’t it!
1983		A. Payne ‘Senior Citizen Caine’ in Minder [TV script] 31: That’s exactly what I will do if you get my old man in stuck.
1984		‘Derek Raymond’ He Died with His Eyes Open 75: You’re not in any shtuck, so why look for bother by withholding information.
1989		J. Morton Lowspeak 128: Schtook – in trouble.
1992		M. Frayn Now You Know 147: Got me back in dead shtuck with Jacqui for a start.
1999		Guardian G2 18 Aug. 11: She’s in shtuck! ... it’s all her own bloody fault.
2000		J.J. Connolly Layer Cake 48: He’s one of the few people I would ask for advice if I’m in schtook.
2000		Guardian Guide 25–31 Mar. 4: Anyway you slice it, you’re in shtuck.