Be up to your ears in something

phrase

To be very busy or overwhelmed with work or a task.

I can't join you for dinner tonight, I'm up to my ears in paperwork.
Visual representation of "be up to your ears in something" - To be very busy or overwhelmed with work or a task.

Often appears as...

  • up to my ears in paperwork
  • up to my ears in work

Usage tips

Colloquial

phrase

To have a lot of a particular thing, often something unpleasant or problematic.

Ever since the news broke out, she's been up to her ears in legal troubles.
Visual representation of "be up to your ears in something" - To have a lot of a particular thing, often something unpleasant or problematic.

Often appears as...

  • up to my ears in trouble
  • up to my ears in debt

Usage tips

Idiomatic

phrase

To be very busy or overwhelmed with work or a task.

I can't join you for dinner tonight, I'm up to my ears in paperwork.
Visual representation of "be up to your ears in something" - To be very busy or overwhelmed with work or a task.

Often appears as...

  • up to my ears in paperwork
  • up to my ears in work

Usage tips

Colloquial

phrase

To have a lot of a particular thing, often something unpleasant or problematic.

Ever since the news broke out, she's been up to her ears in legal troubles.
Visual representation of "be up to your ears in something" - To have a lot of a particular thing, often something unpleasant or problematic.

Often appears as...

  • up to my ears in trouble
  • up to my ears in debt

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "be up to your ears in something"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Colloquial Use

Used casually among friends or in non-formal settings; not for professional documents.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
Sorry, can't chat now, I'm up to my ears in chores.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Hyperbolic

Exaggerates a situation for effect, doesn't mean literally overwhelmed.

Illustration for Hyperbolic
I'm up to my ears in work—I didn't even have time for lunch!
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional State

Can express stress or frustration about the amount of work one has.

Illustration for Emotional State
She's up to her ears in planning the event and needs a break.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Colloquial Use

Used casually among friends or in non-formal settings; not for professional documents.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
Sorry, can't chat now, I'm up to my ears in chores.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Hyperbolic

Exaggerates a situation for effect, doesn't mean literally overwhelmed.

Illustration for Hyperbolic
I'm up to my ears in work—I didn't even have time for lunch!
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional State

Can express stress or frustration about the amount of work one has.

Illustration for Emotional State
She's up to her ears in planning the event and needs a break.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Colloquial Use

Used casually among friends or in non-formal settings; not for professional documents.

Illustration for Colloquial Use
Sorry, can't chat now, I'm up to my ears in chores.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Hyperbolic

Exaggerates a situation for effect, doesn't mean literally overwhelmed.

Illustration for Hyperbolic
I'm up to my ears in work—I didn't even have time for lunch!
LampPro Tip 3/3

Emotional State

Can express stress or frustration about the amount of work one has.

Illustration for Emotional State
She's up to her ears in planning the event and needs a break.
Visual representation of the word "Be up to your ears in something"

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