Up to your neck Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈəp/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈnɛk

UP-too-yer-NEK

UK

ˈʌp/ /tˈuː/ /jˈɔː/ /nˈɛk

UP-too-yaw-NEK

Definition

If you are "up to your neck" in something, you are deeply involved in it or extremely busy with it, often to the point of feeling overwhelmed.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal idiom, used for work, problems, or obligations. Commonly paired with "in work," "in debt," or "in trouble." It expresses being overwhelmed or having too much to handle. Not literal; don't use for physical descriptions.

• Spanish: hasta el cuello
• Portuguese (BR): até o pescoço
• Portuguese (PT): até ao pescoço
• Chinese (Simplified): 陷得很深 - 忙得不可开交
• Chinese (Traditional): 陷得很深 - 忙得不可開交
• Hindi: गले तक फंसा हुआ
• Arabic: غارق حتى العنق
• Bengali: গলা পর্যন্ত ডুবে - গলা পর্যন্ত ব্যস্ত
• Russian: по уши - по горло
• Japanese: 首まで（〜している） - 首が回らないほど（忙しい・大変な）
• Vietnamese: ngập đầu - bận tối mắt tối mũi
• Korean: 목까지 차다 - 허덕이다
• Turkish: boyuna kadar (işe gömülmek) - boğazına kadar
• Urdu: گلے تک پھنسنا - گلے تک الجھنا
• Indonesian: tenggelam sampai leher - sibuk banget

Example Sentences

I'm up to my neck in homework.

basic

She’s up to her neck in debt.

basic

We’re up to our necks in work this week.

basic

Don’t ask him for help, he’s up to his neck in other projects.

natural

After the holiday, we’ll all be up to our necks dealing with returns.

natural

I’m up to my neck in trouble after missing that meeting.

natural