knee deep etymology

Etymology:

• Knee: Old English "cnēow," from Proto-West Germanic "*kneo-." Cognates include Dutch "knie," German "Knie," and Swedish "knä."
• Deep: Old English "dēop," from Proto-West Germanic "*deupaz." Cognates include German "tief" and Dutch "diep."

Meaning:

"Knee-deep" literally means submerged in water or other liquid up to one's knees.

Origin:

The phrase "knee-deep" has been in use since at least the 14th century. It originally meant "up to one's knees in water," but over time, it has come to be used more figuratively to describe a situation that is either physically or emotionally difficult or challenging.

Usage:

• "The floodwaters rose knee-deep, forcing us to evacuate." (literal meaning)
• "I'm knee-deep in work right now and can't get anything done." (figurative meaning)
• "He's knee-deep in debt and can't afford to pay it back." (figurative meaning)
• "She's knee-deep in love with him and can't imagine life without him." (figurative meaning)

Synonyms:

• Up to one's neck
• In over one's head
• Overwhelmed
• Buried
• Drowning

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