Be up to your eyeballs in something

usgb
verb phrase

To be very busy doing something.

I can't come to the party, I'm up to my eyeballs in work.
Visual representation of "be up to your eyeballs in something" - To be very busy doing something

Often appears as...

  • up to my eyeballs in work
  • up to my eyeballs in debt

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

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

Highly Busy

Use when expressing an excessive amount of tasks or responsibilities.

Illustration for Highly Busy
I'd love to help, but I'm up to my eyeballs in reports.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Emphasize Overwhelm

Conveys a feeling of being bogged down by what you're involved with.

Illustration for Emphasize Overwhelm
We're up to our eyeballs in wedding preparations!
LampPro Tip 3/3

Casual Context

Best used in informal settings among friends, not in formal writing.

Illustration for Casual Context
Sorry, can't chat. I'm up to my eyeballs in emails.
Visual representation of the word "Be up to your eyeballs in something"

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