Out of your depth

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Meaning

Beyond your skill or comfort, floundering in deep water.

Origin

From 17th-century England, tied to swimming; 'out of depth' meant drowning risk, slang by 1680s for overreach. A 1711 Swift essay uses it for a fool's plunge.

Variants

  • Out of depth

Usage Examples

  • He's out of his depth with this coding gig.
  • I was out of my depth at that fancy gala.
  • She's out of her depth debating him.

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