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up a tree. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
up a tree, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
up a tree in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Pronunciation
Prepositional phrase
up a tree
- (idiomatic, dated) In or into a disadvantaged or difficult situation; at a loss; cornered.
1864, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, chapter 53, in Uncle Silas:"I'm a bit up a tree, Miss," he said shuffling his feet on the oak floor. "I behaved a fool."
1891, Laura E. Richards, chapter 14, in Hildegarde's Holiday:I found the doctor in his study, and the whole room full of rods and lines and reels. . . . When he called me to come and look at his flies I was all up a tree, and didn't know what he was talking about.
1894, Robert Barr, chapter 7, in In the Midst of Alarms:"Oh, I'm up a tree again. I see I don't even know the A B C of this business."
1904, O. Henry, “The Handbook of Hymen”, in Heart of the West:"You're a liar," says I, a little riled that Idaho should try to put me up a tree.
1909, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 40, in Mike: A Public School Story:The general consensus of opinion in Outwood's during the luncheon interval was that, having got Downing's up a tree, they would be fools not to make the most of the situation.
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