To the gills Meaning in English
expression
TOO-thuh-GILZ, tuh-thuh-GILZ, ti-thuh-GILZ
TOO-thuh-GILZ, thuh-GILZ, thee-GILZ
Definition
An informal expression meaning completely full or filled to the maximum capacity, usually with food, people, or things.
Usage & Nuances
This is informal and often humorous. Common after eating a lot ('stuffed to the gills'), or when rooms or containers are overly full. Usually not literal—gills refer to fish anatomy, but here it's just for emphasis. Similar to 'to the brim', but more playful.
Spanish: hasta los topes - hasta el topePortuguese (BR): até a boca - até o limitePortuguese (PT): até ao topo - completamente cheioChinese (Simplified): 塞得满满的 - 塞到极限Chinese (Traditional): 塞得滿滿的 - 塞到極限Hindi: पूरा भरकर - गले तकArabic: حتى آخره - ممتلئ تمامًاBengali: ঠাসা - গিল পর্যন্ত পূর্ণRussian: до отказа - до краёвJapanese: いっぱいに - 満杯にVietnamese: đầy ắp - đầy đến ngậpKorean: 꽉 차게 - 가득 차게Turkish: ağzına kadar doluUrdu: ٹھسا ہوا - مکمل طور پر بھرا ہواIndonesian: penuh sesak - sampai penuh
Example Sentences
After dinner, I was to the gills.
basic
The suitcase is packed to the gills.
basic
The bus was to the gills with passengers.
basic
Wow, that pizza stuffed me to the gills!
natural
My inbox is to the gills these days.
natural
The club was packed to the gills last night.
natural