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

See Examples For:

up a tree

Church-goers lit up a tree decorated with stars bearing the image of those killed in June.

From Barron's ● Dec. 24, 2025

Responding to a call, Susan Clark of Topanga Animal Rescue witnessed BB14 facing down yipping coyotes, with her cubs up a tree.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025

Russo also saw a black cat up a tree and figured it must be Blackie.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 1, 2025

You don’t have to load up a tree with ornaments, either.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

He smiled and said nervously, “Don’t make it long. I’m kind of like a cat up a tree so far he can’t come down.”

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

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