up a tree

Idioms  

1. In a difficult situation, as in They found the drugs in his suitcase, so he was up a tree. This expression alludes to an animal, such as a raccoon or squirrel, that climbs a tree for refuge from attackers, which then surround the tree so it cannot come down. [Colloquial; early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

The wolverine decided he meant it, and shot up a tree.

From Literature

A squirrel scampers up a tree trunk and jumps onto a branch, which wobbles above our heads.

From Literature

He was bawling treed, and his deep voice was telling me and the whole wide world that he had something up a tree.

From Literature

“He’s liable to chase you up a tree.”

From Literature

I threw it to the monkey, and she grabbed it and ran immediately up a tree a little distance away.

From Literature

Related Words

• difficulty
• dilemma
• embarrassment
• impasse
• plight
• predicament
• puzzle
• uncertainty