Meaning

"I'm hosed" means "I'm in serious trouble" or "I'm out of luck, there's no way this works out." You say it when a deadline is impossible, your laptop dies before a presentation, or you missed the last train. "Hosed" can also mean treated unfairly or cheated: "The referee totally hosed us."

The picture is being hit by a strong jet of water from a hose. You're soaked and helpless, and there's nothing to do about it.

This is casual American slang, and it's a little dated; you'll hear it more from people over thirty-five, and it isn't common in British English. It's not rude or vulgar, but it's too slangy for formal settings. Understand it when you hear it. For your own speech, "I'm in trouble", "I'm in a tough spot" or "I'm out of luck" are clearer choices that everyone uses.

In a conversation

OliviaNguyen
  1. Olivia
  2. Nguyen
  3. Olivia
  4. Nguyen
  5. Olivia
  6. Nguyen

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

  3. Here "hosed" means treated unfairly.

Check yourself

1A coworker says "I'm hosed." How are they feeling about their situation?
2What's a clearer, more common way to say "I'm hosed" at work?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. "Hosed" has a long o and ends in a soft z sound: "hohzd". Then practice the clearer versions.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.