IN THE SUDS, phr. (old).—Troubled; perplexed; angry (GROSE).

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  1616–7.  JOHN CHAMBERLAIN, Letter to Sir Dudley Carleton, 15 May, in The Court and Times of James the First, I. 468. The Lord Coke is left IN THE SUDS, but sure it is God’s doing, according to the old saying, perdere quos vult Jupiter prius dementat.

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  1619.  FLETCHER, The Wild-Goose Chase, ii. 3. Will you forsake me now and leave me I’ THE SUDS?

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  1622.  ROWLANDS, Good Newes and Bad Newes, p. 12. [Hunterian Club’s Reprint, 1874].

        Now land is sold, and money gone in goods,
He cals out, Andrew, I am IN THE SUDDES.

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  1706.  WARD, The Wooden World Dissected, 7. How fond soever … of his dear Duck’s Company, he makes no tiresome stay with her … so taking … Farewell, he leaves her IN THE SUDDS.

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  1730.  SWIFT, Death and Daphne.

        Away the frighted spectre scuds,
And leaves my lady IN THE SUDS.

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  1737.  FIELDING, Tumble-down Dick, or Phaeton IN THE SUDS [Title].

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  1774.  BRIDGES, A Burlesque Translation of Homer, 459.

        Whene’er he wanted to deceive you,
And helpless IN THE SUDS to leave you.

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