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Phrase(s): keep one’s head above water
1. Lit. to keep from drowning when swimming or floating. (See also get one’s head above water.) • I was so tired I could hardly keep my head above water. 2. Fig. to manage to survive, especially financially. • We have so little money that we can hardly keep our heads above water. • It’s hard to keep your head above water on this much money. 3. Fig. to keep up with one’s work. • It’s all I can do to keep my head above water with the work I have. I can’t take on any more. • We have so many orders that we can hardly keep our heads above water.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs