out of one's depth

Definitions

1. 1

   In water so deep that one cannot stand and may be at risk of drowning.

2. 2

   In a situation which one is poorly prepared or unprepared to handle.

   • The team's first game was against the league champions; they were out of their depth and knew it.
   • She doesn’t know Joker, she’s out of her depth. I need to save her.
   • Weak management and a small team of civil servants who were out of their depth have been roundly blamed for the £4 billion overspend on London's Elizabeth line (Crossrail) and its opening four years late in May 2022.

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