be-in-deep-water
/biː ɪn diːp ˈwɔː.tər/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
If someone is in deep water, they are in serious trouble or a difficult situation. People use this when a problem is hard to escape or solve.
- He is in deep water after missing the deadline.
- The company is in deep water now.
- I knew I was in deep water with my manager.
Adinary Nuance
Be in deep water is stronger than simply be in trouble. It suggests serious difficulty, often with no easy way out. It is closer to be in a fix or be in hot water, but it usually sounds more serious. Writers use it when a situation feels risky or overwhelming.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- gặp rắc rối lớn
- Spanish
- estar en problemas
- Chinese
- 陷入大麻烦
- Japanese
- 大変なことになる
- Korean
- 큰 곤경에 빠지다
Etymology
This idiom comes from the idea that deep water is dangerous and hard to stand in. It has been used in English since the 16th century.
Common phrases
in deep waterget into deep waterbe in deep water with someonefind yourself in deep water
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is be in deep water formal or informal?
- It is fairly informal, but it is common in writing and speech.
- What is the difference between be in deep water and be in hot water?
- Both mean serious trouble, but be in deep water can sound broader and more serious.
- Can I use this idiom in business writing?
- Yes, if you want a clear, vivid phrase for serious problems.
- Do people say be in deep water in everyday English?
- Yes, but people also often say in trouble or in a fix.