The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 2 plus 1 plus 3 plus 4 letter word UP A GUM TREE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
U
P
A
G
U
M
T
R
E
E
More clues leading to the result UP A GUM TREE
- After something sticky, in jam?
- Leading team with urge to relocate in a spot?
- In difficulty? Meet guru, unusually enthralling old man
- Meet guru, worried about the old man in dire straits
- Where a koala’s likely to be in a fix
- Ahead before true game unfolds on a sticky wicket
- Where one may find a koala in difficulties?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "in dire straits" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in dire straits = up a gum tree.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.