Learn English – ‘Get over the head’ and ‘get in over the head’

differences

What is the difference between 'get over my head' and 'get in over my head'? Which one to use when we are struggling to forget someone?

Best Answer

Get over my head is either a literal spatial instruction, as in

This jumper was nice and snug although it was a bit of an effort to get over my head as it wasn't sized right.

or figurative usage meaning to recover, usually with head as an attributive noun:

It will takes months of rehab therapy to get over my head [injury].

To get in over my head means to find myself in a situation that is too difficult for me to handle. The allusion is to swimming in waters too deep for my swimming abilities:

And, if I get in over my head, no worries. I am sure there will be someone there who can wave a hand for the lifeguard.

But the phrase needn't refer to water. You can also drown in debt, among other things.

Related Topic