Be up to your neck in something
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.
Often appears as...
- up to your neck in debt
- up to your neck in trouble
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To be very involved in a situation, often something negative.
I can't go out tonight, I'm up to my neck in homework.
Often appears as...
- up to your neck in responsibilities
- up to your neck in problems
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To be involved deeply in something often to a degree that is hard to escape or get out of.
He found out that he was up to his neck in the fraud investigation.
Often appears as...
- up to your neck in debt
- up to your neck in conspiracy
Usage tips
Idiomatic
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.
Often appears as...
- up to your neck in debt
- up to your neck in trouble
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To be very involved in a situation, often something negative.
I can't go out tonight, I'm up to my neck in homework.
Often appears as...
- up to your neck in responsibilities
- up to your neck in problems
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To be involved deeply in something often to a degree that is hard to escape or get out of.
He found out that he was up to his neck in the fraud investigation.
Often appears as...
- up to your neck in debt
- up to your neck in conspiracy
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Intensity
The phrase often suggests a situation is intense or extreme and difficult to manage.
After the flood, we were up to our necks in cleanup work.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Sometimes used hyperbolically to emphasize the amount of something one has to deal with.
I'm up to my neck in chores this weekend.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Situations
Most commonly used in negative or overwhelming contexts, rather than positive ones.
She was up to her neck in legal issues after the incident.
Pro Tip 1/3Intensity
The phrase often suggests a situation is intense or extreme and difficult to manage.
After the flood, we were up to our necks in cleanup work.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Sometimes used hyperbolically to emphasize the amount of something one has to deal with.
I'm up to my neck in chores this weekend.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Situations
Most commonly used in negative or overwhelming contexts, rather than positive ones.
She was up to her neck in legal issues after the incident.
Pro Tip 1/3Intensity
The phrase often suggests a situation is intense or extreme and difficult to manage.
After the flood, we were up to our necks in cleanup work.
Pro Tip 2/3Exaggeration
Sometimes used hyperbolically to emphasize the amount of something one has to deal with.
I'm up to my neck in chores this weekend.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Situations
Most commonly used in negative or overwhelming contexts, rather than positive ones.
She was up to her neck in legal issues after the incident.
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