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Over One's Head

What Does "Over One's Head" Mean?

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"Over one's head" is an English idiom. It means "beyond one's comprehension or understanding; too complex or difficult to grasp."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "over one's head" used in a sentence:
  • The technical jargon used in the presentation went over my head; I couldn't follow it.
  • The math problem was way over his head, and he needed help to solve it.
  • She was discussing advanced physics concepts that were over most people's heads.
meaning for over one's head

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Over One's Head" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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