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be up to one's ears in something
[be] up to {one's} knees in {sth}to be up to one's ears in something
01
to be involved with something that is too challenging or demanding for one to handle
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "be up to one's ears in something" and when to use it?
The idiom "be up to one's ears in something" originates from the visual image of being so deeply immersed or surrounded by a situation, task, or responsibility that it feels as if one's ears, eyes, or neck are almost submerged or overwhelmed. This figurative expression is often used to describe situations where someone is heavily involved in an activity or problem, sometimes to their detriment due to the level of commitment or the challenges involved.
Example
With all the upcoming exams and projects, I'm up to my ears in work right now.
She's up to her eyes in wedding preparations and has no time for anything else.
After taking on multiple leadership roles, he's up to his neck in responsibilities at the company.
