To the gills

adverb

Completely full or very full; filled to the point of overflowing.

The room was packed to the gills with people.
Visual representation of "to the gills" - Completely full or very full; filled to the point of overflowing.

Often appears as...

  • packed to the gills
  • filled to the gills

Usage tips

Informal, Neutral

Idiomatic

adverb

Drunk or intoxicated.

He was drunk to the gills after the party.
Visual representation of "to the gills" - Drunk or intoxicated.

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Idiomatic, Colloquial

adverb

Completely full or very full; filled to the point of overflowing.

The room was packed to the gills with people.
Visual representation of "to the gills" - Completely full or very full; filled to the point of overflowing.

Often appears as...

  • packed to the gills
  • filled to the gills

Usage tips

Informal, Neutral

Idiomatic

adverb

Drunk or intoxicated.

He was drunk to the gills after the party.
Visual representation of "to the gills" - Drunk or intoxicated.

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Idiomatic, Colloquial

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "to the gills"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Overflowing Imagery

Visualize a space so filled there's no room left, illustrating an extreme degree of fullness.

Illustration for Overflowing Imagery
My bookshelf is stuffed to the gills; I can't fit another book!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

'To the gills' doesn't mean something is literally filled with fish parts; it's just an expression.

Illustration for Not Literal
His suitcase was packed to the gills, barely closing.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Expression

Often used to describe uncomfortable situations due to excessive fullness.

Illustration for Negative Expression
We left the concert early because it was packed to the gills.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Overflowing Imagery

Visualize a space so filled there's no room left, illustrating an extreme degree of fullness.

Illustration for Overflowing Imagery
My bookshelf is stuffed to the gills; I can't fit another book!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

'To the gills' doesn't mean something is literally filled with fish parts; it's just an expression.

Illustration for Not Literal
His suitcase was packed to the gills, barely closing.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Expression

Often used to describe uncomfortable situations due to excessive fullness.

Illustration for Negative Expression
We left the concert early because it was packed to the gills.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Overflowing Imagery

Visualize a space so filled there's no room left, illustrating an extreme degree of fullness.

Illustration for Overflowing Imagery
My bookshelf is stuffed to the gills; I can't fit another book!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

'To the gills' doesn't mean something is literally filled with fish parts; it's just an expression.

Illustration for Not Literal
His suitcase was packed to the gills, barely closing.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Expression

Often used to describe uncomfortable situations due to excessive fullness.

Illustration for Negative Expression
We left the concert early because it was packed to the gills.
Visual representation of the word "To the gills"

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