IdiomThe Absurd
Russian
Russianв долгах как в шелках (v dolgakh kak v shelkakh)
Meaning: To be deeply and hopelessly in debt.
Literally: In debts as in silk
Example: “После свадьбы они в долгах как в шелках.” — After the wedding they're up to their ears in debt.
English equivalent: Up to one's ears in debt
Equivalents in other languages
English: up to one's ears in debt
Origin: Russian Wiktionary explains it by the old habits of the gentry, who borrowed money and mortgaged their estates simply to dress in silk, velvet and other costly fabrics: being wrapped in debts as in silks. The rhyme of dolgakh and shelkakh (debts and silks) has helped keep the phrase alive.
More Russian idioms
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