up a gum tree

Examples

• All

• If we lose our funding, the whole project will be up a gum tree.

• When the exam questions were unfamiliar, Mark realised he was up a gum tree.

• I feel like I'm up a gum tree with this project!

• He's really up a gum tree after losing his job.

• She knew she was up a gum tree after misplacing her passport before the flight.

• If we lose our funding, the whole project will be up a gum tree.

• When the exam questions were unfamiliar, Mark realised he was up a gum tree.

Synonyms

O

on the ropes

vsup a gum tree

• Informal

15 7.7

Very close to failure or defeat with little chance to recover

is a general difficult or hopeless state, not necessarily imminent collapse

U

up the creek

vsup a gum tree

• Informal

3 9.4

In a difficult situation with no easy way out

adds a sense of hopelessness rather than mere trouble

U

up a tree

vsup a gum tree

• Informal

2 8.6

To be in a difficult situation with no easy way out

focuses on difficulty or hopelessness rather than just helpless confusion

U

up the creek without a paddle

vsup a gum tree

• Informal

1 9.9

A very bad situation with no way to fix it

is the same difficulty but less emphasis on lacking any escape

U

up the river without a paddle

vsup a gum tree

• Informal

1 9.9

To be in a difficult situation with no way out

is similar but is less strong about impossibility of escape

How Difficult

hopeless

133 2.7

up a gum tree

• Australian

9.8

in trouble

∞ 2.9

to have a problem

824 2.6

issueless

6.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology