Meanings
- idiomaticnot comparableInvolved in a situation to the extent that one cannot cope or escape.
Near-synonyms: outmatched, outgunned
3 more examples
But he didn’t regret killing Qian. The doctor was in too deep. The notes on the flash drive showed a steady progression into dementia, a deteriorating mental state directly linked to incidents of exposure to Sovereign.
2007, Drew Karpyshyn, Mass Effect: Revelation (Science Fiction), Del Rey Books, →ISBN, →OCLC, page 321We are simply in too deep to consider extrication from today's technologically infused world. To assert the contrary is akin to seeking disconnection from the human race itself.
2011, Will Gragido, John Pirc, Cybercrime and Espionage: An Analysis of Subversive Multi-Vector ThreatsI believe, I believe, I believe, I believe / That I'm in too deep / And jealousy, jealousy, jealousy, jealousy / Get the best in me
2017, Halsey, Ricky Reed, Justin Tranter, Rogét Chahayed, “Bad at Love”, in Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, performed by HalseySynonyms: out of one's depth, over one's head, outmatched, outgunned
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveInvolved in a situation to the extent that one cannot cope or escape.
Origin
By a swimming metaphor.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
in too deep. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20too%20deep
“in too deep.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20too%20deep. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in too deep,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20too%20deep.
Source: in too deep on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.