up a tree

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]

Example Sentences

Jobs like this are not unusual, but Mr Emms said it was rare to find bees swarming near shops, rather up a tree or in someone's garden.

From BBC

Mr Graham said his "good pal" Mr Carruthers had used his Range Rover before and done tree felling work for him, adding: "I can put him up a tree with ropes and not worry he is going to come down."

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

Denis Carbonaro has been making sculptures in the front and back garden of his Fife semi for nine-and-a-half years, including a woolly mammoth, a Spanish galleon up a tree, a spider and a shrine during Covid.

From BBC

He said the wounded bear ran off and climbed up a tree — but fell to the ground because of its injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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