be up to (one's) ears in (something)

be up to (one's) ears in (something)

To have too much of something; to be overwhelmed by something. We're still unpacking our new house, so we're just up to our ears in boxes. If any of my guys get hurt at the construction site, I'll be up to my ears in paperwork.

See also: ear, up

be up to your ˈears in something

have a lot of something to deal with: I’m afraid I’m up to my ears in work at the moment. Can we talk later in the week?

See also: ear, something, up