In at the deep end

Meaning

The idiom "in at the deep end" means to be immediately immersed or involved in a difficult, challenging, or unfamiliar situation without any prior experience or knowledge. It refers to jumping into something headfirst without knowing what you're getting yourself into.

Usage

• Sarah was nervous about starting her new job, but she knew that being "in at the deep end" would help her learn quickly.
• John had never played basketball before, so he decided to join a league and jump in "at the deep end."
• The team had been struggling, so they brought in a new coach to shake things up and get them "in at the deep end."
• As soon as she arrived in Japan, Emma was thrown into a culture shock and realized that "being in at the deep end" meant adapting quickly to a completely different way of life.
• The company had just launched a new product and needed someone with experience in marketing to help them out. They decided to hire someone who had never worked in the industry before, but who was willing to jump "in at the deep end."

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "in at the deep end" is unclear, but it likely comes from the idea of diving into water or a pool headfirst. In the 19th century, the idiom was first used in a collection of English idioms called "Glossary of London Slang." The idiom has since become common in modern English and is now widely used to describe any situation that requires jumping in with both feet.

Synonyms in English

• Jumping straight in
• Hitting the ground running
• Diving headfirst
• Plunging right in
• Taking the plunge

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "Plonger dans l'eau" (dive into water)
• Spanish: "Ponerse al agua" (put oneself into water)
• Italian: "Gettarsi nella piscina" (throw oneself into the pool)
• German: "Sich in den Stuhl stürzen" (throw oneself into a chair)
• Russian: "Вырваться на воду" (jump into water)

Similar Idioms

• in a row

• in the driver’s seat

• a fish out of water