up to one's neck in alligators
Extremely busy; having many pressing obligations, distractions, etc., consuming one's time.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I cannot help you today because I am up to my neck in alligators.”
“With three major projects due this week, the manager is up to his neck in alligators and cannot take new meetings.”
“The director found himself up to his neck in alligators, struggling to manage the sudden budget cuts while simultaneously addressing the urgent demands of the board.”
An expressive image, derived from the proverb "when you're up to your neck in alligators, it's hard to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp".
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026