underwater
Below the top of the water; happening or being under the water.
Situated, existing, used, or taking place below the surface of water.
Under the surface of the water.
Below the surface of water; beneath the water.
Used when you owe more money on something, like a house or car, than it is worth now.
Describing an asset, especially a loan or mortgage, for which the amount owed is greater than the current market value of the asset.
Very busy and stressed because you have too much work or too many things to do.
Feeling or being extremely busy, overwhelmed, or behind, especially with work or responsibilities.
- Base: underwater
be underwater at work
1Be extremely busy at work
To be very busy and stressed at your job because you have too much work and not enough time.
- I’ve been underwater at work lately, so I haven’t had time to call you.
- She’s underwater at work this quarter and is doing a lot of overtime.
- We’re all underwater at work until the big project is finished.
be underwater on something
1Owe more than something is worth
To owe more money on something, like a house, car, or loan, than that thing is worth now.
- They’re still underwater on their mortgage, so selling the house would mean a loss.
- After prices fell, many car owners found that they were underwater on their loans.
- The company is underwater on that project and may never recover its costs.
underwater basket weaving
1Joke for a useless course
A humorous way to talk about a college class or subject that seems very easy or not useful.
- He joked that he was majoring in underwater basket weaving.
- The course was so simple that students called it underwater basket weaving.
- They laugh that her degree is in underwater basket weaving, but she actually worked very hard.
underwater mortgage
1Mortgage bigger than home value
A home loan where you owe more money than the house is worth now.
- The government offered help to homeowners with underwater mortgages after the crisis.
- They are stuck with an underwater mortgage and cannot afford to move.
- Falling prices left thousands of families dealing with underwater mortgages.