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.

Origin of ankle-deep

1
First recorded in 1755–65

Words Nearby ankle-deep

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ankle-deep in a sentence

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