up to (one's) neck (in something)

up to (one's) neck (in something)

Extremely busy (with something); deeply or overly involved (in something); possessing, filled up with, or overwhelmed by an excessive amount (of something). There's no way I can take a vacation right now, I'm up to my neck in work at the moment! I only meant to be peripherally involved in David's business venture, but before I knew it I was in up to my neck! Dana was worried she wouldn't find any work as an accountant working for herself, but she's up to her neck in clients!

See also: neck, up

*up to one's neck (in something)

 and *up to one's ears (in something); *up to one's eyeballs (in something)

having a lot of something; Fig. very much involved in something; immersed in something. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I can't come to the meeting. I'm up to my neck in these reports. Mary is up to her ears in her work. I am up to my eyeballs in things to do! I can't do any more!

See also: neck, up

up to your neck

INFORMAL

COMMON If someone is up to their neck in a bad situation, they are very deeply involved in it. He was, at the time, up to his neck in charges of corruption. The Prime Minister was up to his neck in scandal.

See also: neck, up

up to your neck in

1 heavily involved in something onerous or unpleasant. 2 very busy with. informal

See also: neck, up

up to (one's) neck

Deeply involved or occupied fully: I'm up to my neck in paperwork.

See also: neck, up