up a tree


up a tree

1. In a troublesome or challenging situation. I have no idea how I'm going to get out of this contract—I'm really up a tree now.2. Drunk. Do you remember last night at the bar at all? You were really up a tree!See also: tree, up

up a tree

 1. confused; without an answer to a problem; in difficulty. This whole business has me up a tree. I'm up a tree, and I need some help. 2. intoxicated. Only two glasses of booze and he was up a tree for sure. My buddy here is up a tree and needs a place to crash for the night.See also: tree, up

up a tree

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] See also: tree, up

up a tree

AMERICAN, INFORMALIf you are up a tree, you are in a difficult situation. Without my wine guide, I'd have been up a tree.See also: tree, up

up a tree

in a difficult situation without escape; cornered. informal, chiefly North AmericanSee also: tree, up

up a tree

1. mod. confused; without an answer to a problem; in difficulty. This whole business has me up a tree. 2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. My buddy here is up a tree and needs a crash for the night. See also: tree, up

up a tree

Informal In a situation of great difficulty or perplexity; helpless.See also: tree, up

up a tree

Stranded or cornered. This term is clearly American in origin and dates from about 1800. “I had her in my power—up a tree, as the Americans say,” wrote Thackeray (Major Gahagan, 1838). The original allusion is to an animal, such as a raccoon, that has taken refuge from attackers by climbing a tree.See also: tree, up