[Idiom] tail in a sling

What does it mean "you'll wake up some morning with your tail in a sling."?

sjl504 said:

What does it mean "you'll wake up some morning with your tail in a sling."?

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I've no idea.

In what context did you read this, sjl? Name the source and author.

Welcome to the board.

Rover

Rover_KE said:

I've no idea.

In what context did you read this, sjl? Name the source and author.

Welcome to the board.

Rover

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It might be a more polite way to say "...with your arse in a sling". See this link (American spelling): have one?s ass in a sling meaning

Huh. My working vocabulary seems to have a hole where this expression should be!

To be in trouble, in a difficult situation.
From an article about the dangers of hiking, San Francisco Chronicle (2001). "But the truth is, you need not seek out a remote site to plant your tail in a sling. Your neighborhood park can function quite nicely for this. To concoct an adventure, all you must do is: Prepare inadequately, then bite off more than you can chew." [COCA]

not a teacher

It does seem like a euphemism for a*** in a sling BrE or a** in a sling AmE, but if so you can't wake up with it. You come back with it. You've gone out to a conflict and returned badly beaten.

probus said:

It does seem like a euphemism for a*** in a sling BrE or a** in a sling AmE, but if so you can't wake up with it. You come back with it. You've gone out to a conflict and returned badly beaten.

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If you were drunk the night before, you might not even realise your situation until you woke up the next morning.