ox is in the ditch

Meaning: (idiomatic,chiefly southernUS)This is abigproblem; there isunavoidableordemandingwork ahead.1904, Clifton Johnson,Highways and Byways of the South, Macmillan, page169:"Theox is in the ditch," said she, referring to the New Testament excuse for Sabbath work where the need is great, "and Billy must mend this gate if it is Sunday."1987March 6,George Reedy, “Can the President Still Lead?”, inNew York Times, retrieved 7 Nov. 2008:In talking to his staff, Lyndon B. Johnson always announced the onset of catastrophe with the statement: "Theox is in the ditch!"2001May 15, “Senators seek Postal Service overhaul”, inUSA Today, retrieved 7 Nov. 2008:"It's obvious that theox is in the ditchbig time," said Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The Postal Service is projecting up to $5 billion in losses over the next two years.2006, Fred Harris,Following the Harvest: A Novel,→ISBN,page71:"You oughtn't to work on the Lord's Day, son," she told Dad both times. Dad's response was always the same. "Theox is in the ditch, Ma."

Examples:

EN: To put it bluntly, my ox is in the ditch.
ES: Para decirlo sin rodeos, mi buey está en la zanja.

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