Be up to your neck in something

usgb
phrase

To have a very large amount of something, usually something unpleasant.

She's up to her neck in paperwork and it's only Monday.
Visual representation of "be up to your neck in something" - To have a very large amount of something, usually something unpleasant.

Often appears as...

  • up to your neck in debt
  • up to your neck in trouble

Usage tips

Idiomatic

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

Intensity

The phrase often suggests a situation is intense or extreme and difficult to manage.

Illustration for Intensity
After the flood, we were up to our necks in cleanup work.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Exaggeration

Sometimes used hyperbolically to emphasize the amount of something one has to deal with.

Illustration for Exaggeration
I'm up to my neck in chores this weekend.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Situations

Most commonly used in negative or overwhelming contexts, rather than positive ones.

Illustration for Negative Situations
She was up to her neck in legal issues after the incident.
Visual representation of the word "Be up to your neck in something"

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