in deep water Definition

deep
adj

1. Far down from the top or surface; with a relatively great distance from the top or surface to the bottom.

Thesaurus: low, submerged, subterranean, abysmal, fathomless, submarine, immersed; Antonym: shallow, surface.
2. Going or being far in from the outside surface or edge.
3. Going or being far down by a specified amount.

Example: knee-deep in mud
4. In a specified number of rows or layers.

Example: lined up four deep
5. Coming from or going far down; long and full.

Example: a deep sigh
Example: a deep breath
6. Very great; serious.

Example: deep trouble
7. Said of a colour: strong and relatively dark; not light or pale.
8. Low in pitch.

Example: deep-toned
9. Said of emotions, etc: strongly felt.
10. Obscure; hard to understand.

Example: deep thoughts
11. Said of a person: mysterious; keeping secret thoughts.

Thesaurus: profound, acute, penetrating, incisive, wise, sagacious, canny, astute, shrewd, esoteric, recondite, intense.
12. cricket.
Not close to the wickets.
13. football.
Well behind one's team's front line of players.

adverb

1. Deeply.
2. Far down or into.
3. Late on in or well into (a period of time).

noun

1. The ocean.

Form: the deep
2. old use
A place far below the surface of the ground or the sea. See also depth.
Form: deeps (also)

Derivative: deeply
adverb

Very greatly.

Derivative: deepness
noun

Idiom: deep down

In reality, although not in appearance.

Idiom: deep in something

Fully occupied or involved with it.
Example: deep in thought

Idiom: go in at the deep end (jump in at the deep end, dive in at the deep end, be thrown in at the deep end)

colloq
To begin or be given a difficult undertaking with little or no experience or preparation.

Idiom: go off at the deep end (go off the deep end)

colloq
To lose one's temper suddenly and violently.
Thesaurus: go to extremes, go too far, lose one's good sense; rant, exaggerate, rage.

Idiom: in deep water

colloq
In trouble or difficulties.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon deop.

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water
noun

1. (formula H₂O) a colourless odourless tasteless liquid that freezes to form ice at 0°C and boils to form steam at 100°C, at normal atmospheric pressure.
2. An expanse of this, with varying degrees of impurity; a sea, lake or river, etc.

Form: waters (also)
3. The surface of a body of water.
4. The sea round a country's coasts, considered part of its territory.

Example: in British waters
Form: waters
5. The level or state of the tide, as in high tide and low tide.
6. A solution of a specified substance in water.

Example: rosewater
7. Water at a spa, etc, containing minerals and generally considered good for one's health.

Form: the waters
8a. physiol.
Any of several fluids secreted by the body, especially urine, sweat, tears, etc;
8b. physiol.
Saliva.
9. Any liquid that resembles or contains water, eg rain.
10. A dose of water given to a plant or animal.
11. The amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus in the womb.

Form: waters
12. A wavy sheen effect on fabric, especially silk or satin.
13. The degree of brilliance and transparency of a diamond.
14. Quality or class; excellence. See of the first or finest water below.
15. finance.
An increase in a company's stock issue without an increase in assets to back it up.

verb watered, watering

1. To wet, soak or sprinkle something with water.

Thesaurus: moisten, dampen, soak, douse, drench, hose, irrigate.
2. To irrigate (land).
3. To dilute (wine, etc).
intr
4. Said of the mouth: to produce saliva in response to a stimulus activated by the expectation of food.
intr
5. Said of the eyes: to fill with tears in response to irritation.
tr & intr
6. To let (animals) drink; said of animals: to drink.

Example: fed and watered
7. To wet (plants) with water.
8. To give a wavy appearance to the surface of (fabric), by wetting and pressing.

Example: watered silk
9. finance.
To increase (the debt of a company) by issuing new stock without a corresponding increase in assets.

Derivative: waterer
noun

Derivative: waterless
adj

Derivative: watery

See separate entry.

Idiom: by water

By water transport, eg ship.

Idiom: hold water

Said of an explanation, etc: to prove sound; to be valid.
Thesaurus: bear scrutiny, convince, make sense, pass the test, ring true, wash, work.

Idiom: in deep water

In trouble, danger or difficulty.

Idiom: keep one's head above water

To remain out of difficulty or trouble.

Idiom: like a fish out of water

Ill at ease; uncomfortable in a particular environment.

Idiom: like water

colloq
In large quantities; freely or lavishly.

Idiom: like water off a duck's back

Said of a rebuke or scolding, etc: having no effect at all; making no impression.

Idiom: make someone's mouth water

To make their saliva flow; to stimulate their appetite for something.

Idiom: of the first water (of the finest water)

Being of the highest class; first-class or prize.

Idiom: pass water

To urinate.

Idiom: pour oil on troubled waters

To take measures to calm a turbulent situation.

Idiom: still waters run deep

A calm and quiet exterior often conceals strong emotions, obstinacy or cunning, etc.

Idiom: test the water (test the waters)

To test for a response to an intended course of action.

Idiom: throw cold water on something (throw cold water over something)

colloq
To be discouraging or unenthusiastic about (an idea, etc).

Idiom: tread water

See under tread.

Idiom: under water

Beneath the surface of the water.

Idiom: water under the bridge

Experiences that are past and done with.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon wæter.

Phrasal Verb: water something down

To dilute or thin it with water.
Example: to water down the wine
To reduce the impact of it; to make it less controversial or offensive. See also watered-down.