| Idiom | Keep Your Head above Water |
|---|---|
| Example | Business is bad this season, and Dad is barely keeping his head above water. |
| Meaning | to earn enough to stay out of debt and avoid financial ruin; to do just enough to keep up with all of one's responsibilities |
| Origin | In several idioms, water represents possible trouble. Think of "jump off the deep end" (see page 101), "between the devil and the deep blue sea" (see page 12), and "pour oil on troubled waters" (see page 149). The idiom "keep your head above water" hints at the risk of drowning. "Water," in this case, represents going bankrupt or being ruined financially. |
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