be swimming with (someone or something)

be swimming with (someone or something)

To be filled with, covered in, or overwhelmed by a large number of people or things; to be crawling with someone or something. The whole place is swimming with security, so breaking in is going to be really tough. The business was mired in debt and swimming with bad checks from delinquent clients by the time I eventually took over. I can't remember the last time the mall was swimming with people like this.

See also: swimming

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

swimming with someone or something

Fig. engulfed with someone or something. The scene of the crime was swimming with cops and reporters. The hotel was swimming with out-of-town visitors.

See also: swimming

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.