ankle-deep

[ ang-kuhl-deep ]

/ ˈæŋ kəlˈdip /

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adjective

high enough to reach or cover the ankles: ankle-deep mud.

deeply involved or entangled: He is ankle-deep in financial troubles.

adverb

as high as the ankles: Rainwater ran ankle-deep.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of ankle-deep

First recorded in 1755–65

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