be packed (in) like sardines

To be very tightly or snugly packed together, especially in a small space. Alludes to the way in which sardines are packed closely together during canning. We didn't want to take more than one car, so we had to be packed like sardines in Jeff's little sedan for the four-hour drive to Moab. Having a concert in our friends café was such a good idea! Sure, we were packed in like sardines, but everyone had a great time. The airline doesn't care if we're packed in like sardines, so long as they get our ticket fare.