Have you seen the phrase 'gum tree' or 'up a gum tree' somewhere and would like to know more about the meaning and use of the saying? The phrase 'up a gum tree' is a less common figurative saying in English that is often forgotten about until someone mentions it. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and most common use of this saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'up a gum tree' is a less common figurative English language saying.
The phrase 'gum tree' or 'up a gum tree' are used to figuratively indicate that someone is 'up a tree' or that someone is hiding from something.
To say that someone is 'up a gum tree' is the same as saying that someone 'has their head in the sand (like an ostrich)' as an equivalent expression.
The phrase means that someone is not owning up to their responsibility, or hiding from something they should deal with.
The saying is less common in some types of English than others, with more common use of the phrase seen in Australian and UK English than in American.
The phrase can, though even rare, used in the denial form to indicate that someone is 'not up a gum tree' or that the opposite of the meaning is true.
The phrase can be used to refer to someone in direct speech, or to speak about someone as a third-party.
Example Usage
“He's right up a gum tree right now. He lost his business, then lost his wife, and then lost his hands in a car accident so there goes his career as a professional guitarist.”
“If you think that you're going to make it while your car is that close to out on gas, you're going to drive yourself right up a gum tree.”
“If you lost everything in the divorce and stil have to pay off the lawyer to sign any of the papers, then you're right up a gum tree.”
“He was right up a gum tree: they had seen him steal the fruit, and they had probably spotted it on the camera. There was no point to deny that he had stolen three of the oranges from the family farm.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'gum tree' or 'stuck up a gum tree' is agreed to be from nature, where the possum is known to 'play dead' by rushing up a gum tree – and thus, playing dead up a tree.
Most species of animal who 'play dead' will do this on the ground, and not up a tree where they might still be vulnerable.
The expression is agreed to be similar to being 'stuck between a rock and a hard place', or to be between two difficult situations.
An animal who runs 'up a gum tree' to get away from a threat, is theoretically still stuck in a difficult position because they could be just as vulnerable and stuck while they're up the tree.
Most online etymology resources agree that the phrase 'up a gum tree' might have originated from Australia, though print uses of the term can be found throughout several resources that include UK, Australian and US English.
Phrases Similar to Up a Gum Tree
- Between a rock and a hard place
Phrases Opposite to Up a Gum Tree
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- [up a] gum tree
Ways People May Say Up a Gum Tree Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone might use the phrases 'gum tree' or 'up a gum tree' in the wrong way, and it can be common for the phrase to be misunderstood when it is used.
The phrase 'up a gum tree' is sometimes misunderstood in areas where the saying is less common (e.g. usually outside of Australia or the UK).
The phrase is also sometimes incorrectly given as 'gumtree', with the term written incorrectly as one word when it is meant to be said as 'gum tree'.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Up a Gum Tree
The right way to use the phrase 'gum tree' is to say 'up a gum tree' to mean that someone is in an inescapable situation.
The phrase can be used in direct reference to someone, or as a third-party reference to someone else in conversation.