in close quarters

In or occupying a cramped or rather small space with other people. The term "quarters" is a reference to military housing. I'm glad to be done with my student days. Living in such close quarters with so many people just to afford rent is something I don't want to do again. We sure are in close quarters this week with eight people staying in one small lake house. Boy, were we in close quarters on that plane—I'm so glad to be back on solid ground and able to stretch in every direction!

close quarters, at/in

Crowded, in a confined space. The term comes from eighteenth-century naval warfare. Wooden barriers were placed at various points on a ship, so that when an enemy boarded, the crew could retreat behind them and fire at the enemy through loopholes. The crew then were said to be fighting in close quarters, that is, in close contact with the enemy. The term later was transferred to any close contact or crowded situation.