deep end
The phrase "deep end" can refer to the deeper part of a swimming pool or be used idiomatically to describe challenging situations.
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Definition
A2Swimming
(general)The area of a swimming pool where the water is deepest.
Example
- She prefers to swim in the deep end of the pool.
B2General
(idiomatic)A situation that is difficult to handle, especially for someone who is inexperienced.
Example
- Starting his new job, he was thrown into the deep end with no training.
B2General
(idiomatic)A state of being overwhelmed or extremely emotional.
Example
- When he heard the news, he went off the deep end and started shouting.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "deep end":
off the deep endshallow enddeep waterout of one's depthdeep pointtake the plungedeep diverun deepsharp endon the edgetake a divejump in