up a tree adv. or
adj. phr. 1. Hunted or chased into a tree; treed.
The dog drove the coon up a tree so the hunter could shoot him. 2. informal in trouble; having problems; in a difficulty that it is hard to escape or think of a way out of.
John's father has him up a tree in the checker game. Compare: UP THE CREEK.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲