be up to one's ears / be over one's head in something 원서에서 모르는 표현 찾기

In 1979, I was up to my ears in learning experiences.
I was over my head in mistakes,
buried by my own personal incompetence,
and I did not want to learn anything more.
[Rich Dad's Prophecy]

 

■ be up to one's ears

It means to be very busy or overwhelmed with something, typically work, responsibilities, or problems. It implies that a person is so involved or preoccupied with something that it feels as though they are almost drowning in it—like the situation is up to their ears.

 

자신이 맡은 일에 대해서 너무 바쁘거나 압도당할 때 쓰는 말입니다. 물이 귀까치 차오른 매우 부담스럽고 절박한 상황을 비유적으로 표현하는 말입니다. 목까지 차올랐다고 해서 be up to one's neck 이라고도 하는데 neck이라고 해서 정도의 차이가 있는 건 아니고 둘 다 매우 바쁘고 힘든 상황을 가리킵니다.

 

예문)

 

I’m up to my ears in emails and can’t respond to everyone right now.
(I'm overwhelmed with emails and can't answer them all at once.)

 

 

I can’t take on any more projects. I’m already up to my ears with work.
(I have so much work that I can't accept additional tasks.)

 

I’m up to my ears in meetings today, so I won’t have time to take a break.
(I have back-to-back meetings and no time for a rest.)

 

She’s up to her ears in debt after the medical bills, and it’s been really stressful.
(She is overwhelmed by financial issues due to medical expenses.)

 

I’m up to my ears in phone calls and paperwork, but I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
(I have a lot of calls and paperwork to handle and am too busy to respond immediately.)

 

 

■ be over one's head in something

It means to be involved in a situation or task that is too difficult, complex, or overwhelming for one to handle or fully understand. It suggests that someone is in a situation where they lack the necessary skills, knowledge, or experience to manage it effectively.

 

일이 너무 복잡하고 어려워서 제대로 이해하거나 처리하지 못하는 상황을 가리킵니다. 앞에 나온 be up to one's ears 가 일이 많아서 바쁜 모습이라면 이 표현은 완전히 자신의 수준을 넘어버려서 어찌할 바를 모르는 더 힘든 상황을 의미합니다. 직역해보면 무언가가 내 머리 위에 있다는 말로 자신의 현재 지적 수준을 뛰어 넘었다는 의미입니다.

 

예문)

 

"I’m over my head in this report. I have no idea how to finish it on time."

(이 보고서가 너무 어려워서 어떻게 시간을 맞출지 모르겠어요.)

 

"I was over my head in the interview. The questions were way too tough."

(인터뷰에서 너무 어려운 질문들이 나와서 벅찼어요.)

 

"He’s over his head in debt after buying the new car."

(그는 새 차를 사고 나서 빚에 너무 시달리고 있어요.)

 

"I felt over my head when I started the new job, but I’m slowly adjusting."

(새 직장을 시작했을 때 너무 벅찼지만, 이제 조금씩 적응하고 있어요.)

 

"He’s over his head in managing the project alone; he really needs help."

(그는 혼자 프로젝트를 맡아서 너무 힘들어하고 있어요; 정말 도움이 필요해요.)

 

 

■ 첫 문장을 해석해볼까요?

 

In 1979, I was up to my ears in learning experiences. I was over my head in mistakes, buried by my own personal incompetence, and I did not want to learn anything more.

 

1979년 나는 경험을 배우는데 정신이 없었다. 실수들은 이미 내 손을 떠났고 내 자신의 무능력함에 파묻혔으며 더 이상 배우고 싶지 않았다.