Meaning
Buried deep in something, swamped.
Origin
From 19th-century Britain, tied to 'ears'; deep as sound, slang by 1830s for full. A 1840 'Punch' uses it for a debt pile.
Variants
- To your ears
Usage Examples
- I'm up to my ears in paperwork-help!
- He's up to his ears in debt now.
- Up to your ears; too much to do.