Historical clue formulations

• Stuck, with no easy way out — 2024-07-22
• Up against it — 2016-11-06
• Stuck — 2009-10-11
• Stuck — 2007-10-12
• Stymied — 2005-12-23
• Up the creek — 2003-01-30
• Having some trouble — 2001-02-18