deep (redirected from deepness)

be in deep water

to be in a difficult situation which is hard to deal with. We're going to be in deep water if the bank refuses to authorize a bigger loan.

See also: water

be in deep/the shit (British & Australian, taboo)

if someone is in deep shit, they are in a lot of trouble. When I crashed my uncle's car, I knew I was in deep shit.

See also: shit

be in too deep (informal)

to be so involved in a situation or relationship that you are unable to stop being involved. I knew I should leave him but I was in too deep.

be knee-deep in something

to have too much of something. I'm knee-deep in work at the moment, so I'm not stopping for lunch.

Beauty is only skin deep.

something that you say which means a person's character is more important than their appearance. She may not be conventionally pretty but you know what they say, beauty's only skin deep.

See also: beauty, only, skin

between the devil and the deep blue sea

if you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you must choose between two equally unpleasant situations. For most people a visit to the dentist is the result of a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea - if you go you suffer, and if you don't go you suffer.

See also: between, blue, devil, sea

deep down

if you know or feel something deep down, you are certain that it is true or you feel it strongly although you do not admit it or show it. Deep down, she knew that what she was doing was wrong. He tried to convince himself that he was enjoying his job, but deep down he was really miserable.

See also: down

deep pockets

if an organization or a person has deep pockets, they have a lot of money. Anyone who tries to help that company will need deep pockets - it is nearly bankrupt.

See also: pocket

deep-six someone/something (American, informal)

to get rid of someone or something. They want to deep-six the project because it's costing too much money.

dig deep

to use a lot of your own money to pay for something. Church members dug deep into their pockets to pay for a new roof. The city will have to dig deep if it wants to host the next Olympics.

See also: dig

get into deep water

to become involved in a difficult situation. I think we're getting into deep water here talking about gender issues.

See also: water

go off the deep end (informal)

to suddenly become very angry or upset and start shouting at someone. One minute we were having a perfectly reasonable discussion and the next minute you just went off the deep end!

See also: end

go/run deep

if a feeling or a problem goes deep, it is very strong or serious and has existed for a long time. Feelings of anger went deep on both sides. Underlying problems in the company run deep and it is unlikely that a new director will be able to solve them.

See also: run

jump in at the deep end

to start a new job or activity without being prepared for it. Philips is jumping in at the deep end, acting as captain in his first match with the team.

See also: end, jump

still waters run deep

something that you say which means people who say very little often have very interesting and complicated personalities. He's quiet and shy, it's true, but still waters run deep.

See also: run, still, Waters

throw someone in at the deep end

to make someone do something difficult, especially a job, without preparing them for it or giving them any help. I had to deal with a strike threat on my first day - talk about being thrown in at the deep end!

See also: end, throw

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between the devil and the deep blue sea

having only two very unpleasant choices. Our country is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea — our leaders cause great suffering, but an invasion aimed at overthrowing them would bring many other problems.

Etymology: based on the idea of being trapped between a ship's devil (= a piece of wood or a joint on a wooden ship that is difficult to reach) and the water

See also: between, blue, devil, sea

deep down

strongly felt. Deep down, she knew that she had cheated her friend and it was wrong.

See also: down

go off the deep end

to become so angry or upset that you cannot control your emotions. Tom will go off the deep end if Jerry can't pay him the money he owes.

See also: end

in deep shit

in a lot of trouble. If you get caught carrying that stuff, you'll be in deep shit.

See also: shit

run deep

to be very strong or well established. His worries ran deep but were hidden by his cheerful personality.

See also: run

take a deep breath

to pause. Companies want you to buy these high-tech security devices, but you should take a deep breath before you spend your money on them.

See also: breath, take