Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m really barking up the wrong tree” or “She decided to branch out“? These are just a couple of examples of tree idioms that can make your English sound more natural and fun!
Idioms about trees are common in everyday language, but understanding them can be tricky if you’re not familiar with their meanings.
In this article, we’ll explore 50 tree idioms with clear definitions and simple examples. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of these idioms with trees and how to use them in your conversations.
Let’s dive into the idiom tree and discover all the unique phrases it has to offer!
50 Tree Idioms: Meanings and Examples Explained
1. Barking up the wrong tree
Meaning: Accusing the wrong person or looking in the wrong place
Example: I think you’re barking up the wrong tree—I didn’t break the window.
2. Out on a limb
Meaning: Doing something risky or alone
Example: She went out on a limb to support the new idea.
3. Can’t see the forest for the trees
Meaning: Can’t see the big picture because of small details
Example: You’re focusing too much on one mistake. You can’t see the forest for the trees.
4. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: Start fresh or change your behavior
Example: He decided to turn over a new leaf and be more responsible.
5. Up a tree
Meaning: In a difficult situation
Example: I’m really up a tree—I forgot my homework again.
6. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Meaning: Children are like their parents
Example: His father is very kind, and he is too. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
7. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid saying something directly
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened.
8. Go out on a limb
Meaning: Take a chance or risk
Example: I’ll go out on a limb and say we will win the game.
9. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is not easy to get
Example: Don’t waste money. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
10. Nip it in the bud
Meaning: Stop something before it grows or becomes a problem
Example: We need to nip this problem in the bud before it gets worse.
Explore this article to learn more idioms: 45 Angry Idioms You Need to Know.
11. Branch out
Meaning: Try something new
Example: She wants to branch out and learn painting.
12. Leaf through
Meaning: Look quickly through a book or magazine
Example: I leafed through the magazine while waiting.
13. Knock on wood
Meaning: Hope for good luck or to avoid bad luck
Example: The car is working fine, knock on wood.
14. Make like a tree and leave
Meaning: A joke telling someone to go away
Example: You’re annoying me. Make like a tree and leave.
15. Can’t see the wood for the trees
Meaning: Too focused on small things
Example: You’re missing the main idea. You can’t see the wood for the trees.
16. Put down roots
Meaning: Settle in one place
Example: We moved here to put down roots.
17. Shake like a leaf
Meaning: Tremble with fear or cold
Example: I was so scared I shook like a leaf.
18. A tree is known by its fruit
Meaning: People are known by their actions
Example: He helps everyone. Truly, a tree is known by its fruit.
19. Tree-hugger
Meaning: A person who loves nature and protects the environment
Example: She recycles everything. She’s a real tree-hugger.
20. Tall as a tree
Meaning: Very tall
Example: My brother is tall as a tree now!
Discover additional idioms by reading this article: 45 Colorful Art Idioms.
21. Grow like a weed
Meaning: Grow very fast
Example: Your son has grown like a weed!
22. Out of the woods
Meaning: Past a difficult time
Example: I was sick, but now I’m out of the woods.
23. Like two peas in a pod
Meaning: Very similar
Example: They’re like two peas in a pod, always together.
24. Bent out of shape
Meaning: Very upset
Example: Don’t get bent out of shape about it. It’s okay.
25. Branch of knowledge
Meaning: A subject or area of study
Example: Math is a branch of knowledge I enjoy.
26. Take root
Meaning: Start to grow or develop
Example: Her business idea is starting to take root.
27. Tree of life
Meaning: A symbol of growth and connection
Example: The tree of life shows how all things are connected.
28. Chestnut (old chestnut)
Meaning: An old or repeated story
Example: He told that old chestnut again!
29. Paper trail
Meaning: Written record
Example: Keep a paper trail of your spending.
30. Log off
Meaning: Sign out of a computer
Example: Don’t forget to log off after using the computer.
Find more idioms inside this article: 75 Body Idioms with Meanings and Examples.
31. Wood for the trees
Meaning: Too caught in details
Example: He’s lost in the wood for the trees again.
32. Sowing seeds
Meaning: Starting something that will grow
Example: By reading to children, you’re sowing seeds of learning.
33. Go against the grain
Meaning: Do something different
Example: His ideas go against the grain, but they work.
34. Acorn doesn’t fall far from the oak
Meaning: Children act like parents
Example: Just like his dad. The acorn doesn’t fall far from the oak.
35. Stick to your roots
Meaning: Stay true to your culture or origin
Example: Even in the city, she sticks to her roots.
36. Put the axe to something
Meaning: End or remove it completely
Example: The school put the axe to the old program.
37. Tree-lined street
Meaning: A street with trees on both sides
Example: I live on a tree-lined street. It’s very pretty.
38. Root and branch
Meaning: Completely
Example: They changed the system root and branch.
39. Old as the hills
Meaning: Very old
Example: That song is old as the hills.
40. Stick in the mud
Meaning: A person who doesn’t like change or fun
Example: Don’t be a stick in the mud. Come dance!
For more idioms, take a look at this article: 40 Horse Idioms with Meaning and Examples.
41. Bark is worse than bite
Meaning: Someone seems mean but isn’t
Example: He yells, but his bark is worse than his bite.
42. Climb the family tree
Meaning: Explore your family history
Example: I’m trying to climb the family tree and find my ancestors.
43. Knock the tree
Meaning: Criticize or talk badly
Example: Don’t knock the tree just because it’s different.
44. Dead wood
Meaning: Useless parts or people
Example: The manager removed the dead wood from the team.
45. Tree of knowledge
Meaning: Learning or wisdom
Example: Reading helps you grow your tree of knowledge.
46. Sprout up
Meaning: Appear or grow suddenly
Example: New shops have sprouted up everywhere.
47. A thorn in one’s side
Meaning: A person or thing that causes problems
Example: That old printer is a thorn in my side.
48. Logjam
Meaning: A situation where progress is blocked
Example: The meeting ended in a logjam—no decision made.
49. Grow roots
Meaning: Stay in one place for a long time
Example: I’ve grown roots in this town. I love it here.
50. Hug a tree
Meaning: Love nature (can be literal or figurative)
Example: She always says we should hug a tree and protect the planet.
Continue your idiom journey with this article: 80 Money Idioms Explained.
Exercises to Practice Tree Idioms
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences by choosing the correct idiom from the list below.
- When I tried to explain the problem, I felt like I was __________.
- I finally decided to __________ and start working harder at school.
- The company is facing some problems, but they’ll be fine once they’re __________.
- I told him to stop making excuses and __________—just admit what you did wrong.
- My grandmother loves to tell that __________ about her childhood every time we visit.
Idioms:
- out on a limb
- turn over a new leaf
- out of the woods
- bark up the wrong tree
- old chestnut
Exercise 2: Match the Idiom to the Meaning
Match each idiom with its correct meaning.
- Barking up the wrong tree
- Nip it in the bud
- Can’t see the forest for the trees
- Tree-hugger
- Make like a tree and leave
A. Accusing the wrong person or focusing on the wrong thing
B. A person who loves nature and the environment
C. Stop a problem before it grows
D. Telling someone to leave
E. Focusing too much on small details and missing the big picture
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Idiom
Choose the correct idiom to complete the sentences below.
- He’s been talking about the same thing for hours! It’s just another _______.
a) Barking up the wrong tree
b) Old chestnut
c) Out of the woods
d) Tree-lined street - I have to finish this report before the meeting. I can’t afford to _______ on the small details.
a) Make like a tree and leave
b) Bark up the wrong tree
c) Can’t see the forest for the trees
d) Up a tree - After months of work, we’re finally _______ from the stress of the project.
a) Tree of life
b) Out of the woods
c) Root and branch
d) Knock on wood - The student was afraid to speak in class, but when she finally did, she seemed to _______.
a) Grow like a weed
b) Shake like a leaf
c) Branch out
d) Bark up the wrong tree
Answers to Exercises for Practicing Tree Idioms
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- When I tried to explain the problem, I felt like I was barking up the wrong tree.
- I finally decided to turn over a new leaf and start working harder at school.
- The company is facing some problems, but they’ll be fine once they’re out of the woods.
- I told him to stop making excuses and bark up the wrong tree—just admit what you did wrong.
- My grandmother loves to tell that old chestnut about her childhood every time we visit.
Exercise 2: Match the Idiom to the Meaning
- Barking up the wrong tree – A. Accusing the wrong person or focusing on the wrong thing
- Nip it in the bud – C. Stop a problem before it grows
- Can’t see the forest for the trees – E. Focusing too much on small details and missing the big picture
- Tree-hugger – B. A person who loves nature and the environment
- Make like a tree and leave – D. Telling someone to leave
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Idiom
- He’s been talking about the same thing for hours! It’s just another _______.
Answer: b) Old chestnut - I have to finish this report before the meeting. I can’t afford to _______ on the small details.
Answer: c) Can’t see the forest for the trees - After months of work, we’re finally _______ from the stress of the project.
Answer: b) Out of the woods - The student was afraid to speak in class, but when she finally did, she seemed to _______.
Answer: b) Shake like a leaf.
Conclusion:
Now that you’ve learned 50 popular tree idioms, you can start using them to sound more fluent and confident in English.
Whether you’re talking about making a change, taking a risk, or seeing things from a new perspective, these idioms about trees will help you express yourself more creatively. So, the next time you hear someone mention an idiom tree, you’ll know exactly what they mean!
Keep practicing these tree idioms in your daily conversations, and soon, they’ll feel like second nature. Happy learning!
Continue your idiom journey with this article: 100 Tasty Food Idioms with Meanings and Examples.
