ankle-deep

[ ang-kuhl-deep ]

adjective

1. high enough to reach or cover the ankles:

   ankle-deep mud.

2. deeply involved or entangled:

   He is ankle-deep in financial troubles.

adverb

1. as high as the ankles:

   Rainwater ran ankle-deep.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankle-deep¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

Dressed in rags, a man and woman stand ankle-deep in a swamp.

From The Daily Beast

The vault was ankle deep in mire and so crowded were the prisoners that no one could sit without leaning upon another.

From Project Gutenberg

I followed a half a mile; then he struck out over the swamp, and waded ankle deep as much as another half-mile.

From Project Gutenberg

The men were ankle-deep in water, which foamed under the lash of the falling torrents.

From Project Gutenberg

As he finished speaking, water began to pour over the windowsill, and soon the nursery floor was ankle deep.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing can be more unhealthful than the dawdling habit of wading out ankle-deep or knee-deep, and waiting to get your courage up.

From Project Gutenberg