IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishup to one's ears in debt
Meaning: Deeply in debt.
Example: “After the renovation, they were up to their ears in debt.”
Origin: The debt is pictured as water rising to the ears. English has said "up to the ears" in trouble since the 16th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Russian: в долгах как в шелках (v dolgakh kak v shelkakh) Literally: In debts as in silk
More English idioms
- a trump card A decisive advantage kept in reserve.
- not turn a hair To show no reaction at all.
- hide one's light under a bushel To keep one's talents hidden.
- two men and a dog A very small crowd.
- has the cat got your tongue? Said to someone who stays silent when they should speak.
- a load of nonsense Something completely untrue or silly.
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