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

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 ● Jun. 16, 2025

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

From Washington Times ● Dec. 6, 2023

It finally clawed its way up a tree in front of the library, and the librarian, Miss Graebner, called the fire department to come and get it down.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

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