over one's head

Idioms  

1. To a position higher than another's, as in She was furious when her assistant was promoted over her head . Similarly, go over someone's head means “appeal to a higher authority,” as in Since she couldn't help me, I decided to go over her head and talk to her supervisor . [Mid-1500s]

2. Beyond one's understanding or competence, as in The math required to complete these figures is way over my head . [Early 1600s] For a synonym, see out of one's depth . Also see in deep (over one's head) .

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Example Sentences

Paralyzing traffic is one symptom; the increasingly absurd price of putting a roof over one’s head is another.

From New York Times • May 7, 2018

Pouring a bucket of ice water over one’s head, quite frankly, is.

From Salon • Aug. 21, 2014

For others, any roof over one’s head is better than none.

From New York Times • Mar. 1, 2011

For cash-squeezed consumers by the millions, shopping on credit for everything from a new suit of clothing, to cars, kitchen appliances, even a roof over one's head, is increasingly painful.

From Time Magazine Archive

Better than a roof over one's head is a fire at one's feet; for what is there deadlier than the chill of a fireless house?

From The Hills of Hingham by Sharp, Dallas Lore