In a difficulty in an extremity.
1833. He was fairly up a tree, like the preacher the Sunday before last?—J. K. Paulding, ‘The Banks of the Ohio,’ ii. 215 (Lond.).
1909. [They] found six diamond rings concealed in Wilkinson’s garments. When the diamonds were disclosed, W. laughed and remarked, “Gentlemen, I am up a tree.”—N.Y. Evening Post, July 6. (A smuggling case.)
