Be up to your eyeballs in something
verb phrase
To be very busy doing something.
I can't come to the party, I'm up to my eyeballs in work.
Often appears as...
- up to my eyeballs in work
- up to my eyeballs in debt
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb phrase
To be heavily involved or deeply engrossed in something, possibly in a troublesome way.
After taking the loan, he found himself up to his eyeballs in debt.
Often appears as...
- up to his eyeballs in trouble
- up to her eyeballs in problems
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
verb phrase
To be very busy doing something.
I can't come to the party, I'm up to my eyeballs in work.
Often appears as...
- up to my eyeballs in work
- up to my eyeballs in debt
Usage tips
Informal
Colloquial
verb phrase
To be heavily involved or deeply engrossed in something, possibly in a troublesome way.
After taking the loan, he found himself up to his eyeballs in debt.
Often appears as...
- up to his eyeballs in trouble
- up to her eyeballs in problems
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Highly Busy
Use when expressing an excessive amount of tasks or responsibilities.
I'd love to help, but I'm up to my eyeballs in reports.
Pro Tip 2/3Emphasize Overwhelm
Conveys a feeling of being bogged down by what you're involved with.
We're up to our eyeballs in wedding preparations!
Pro Tip 3/3Casual Context
Best used in informal settings among friends, not in formal writing.
Sorry, can't chat. I'm up to my eyeballs in emails.
Pro Tip 1/3Highly Busy
Use when expressing an excessive amount of tasks or responsibilities.
I'd love to help, but I'm up to my eyeballs in reports.
Pro Tip 2/3Emphasize Overwhelm
Conveys a feeling of being bogged down by what you're involved with.
We're up to our eyeballs in wedding preparations!
Pro Tip 3/3Casual Context
Best used in informal settings among friends, not in formal writing.
Sorry, can't chat. I'm up to my eyeballs in emails.
Pro Tip 1/3Highly Busy
Use when expressing an excessive amount of tasks or responsibilities.
I'd love to help, but I'm up to my eyeballs in reports.
Pro Tip 2/3Emphasize Overwhelm
Conveys a feeling of being bogged down by what you're involved with.
We're up to our eyeballs in wedding preparations!
Pro Tip 3/3Casual Context
Best used in informal settings among friends, not in formal writing.
Sorry, can't chat. I'm up to my eyeballs in emails.
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