Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

knee-deep

American  
[nee-deep] / ˈniˈdip /

adjective

  1. reaching the knees.

    knee-deep mud.

  2. submerged or covered up to the knees.

    knee-deep in water.

  3. deeply embroiled; enmeshed; involved.

    knee-deep in trouble.


knee-deep British  

adjective

  1. so deep as to reach or cover the knees

    knee-deep mud

    1. sunk or covered to the knees

      knee-deep in sand

    2. immersed; deeply involved

      knee-deep in work

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of knee-deep

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The temporary ice rink was constructed in the centre of the town's piazza, leaving Pavrotti's statue knee-deep in ice and surrounded by perspex walls.

From BBC

Six months after Liar’s Poker was published, I was knee-deep in letters from students at Ohio State University who wanted to know if I had any other secrets to share about Wall Street.

From Literature

One slope climbed so high that she rose up from the ocean surface and continued on, wading through knee-deep water.

From Literature

Rescuers and relatives searched knee-deep in water for the body of one-year-old Zara.

From BBC

In Jamaica, the impact was most severe in the southwestern parish of St Elizabeth, where knee-deep mud and washed-out bridges left towns such as Black River cut off.

From BBC