1
general::
Phrase(s): land in something
1. Lit. [for an airplane] to return to earth in or near a particular city. • We landed in Chicago on time. • They could not land in San Francisco, so they flew on to Sacramento. 2. Fig. [for someone] to end up in something, such as a mess, jail, trouble, etc. • If you don’t mend your ways, you’re going to land in jail! • Andy is going to land in hot water if he doesn’t start paying his bills. 3. [for an airplane] to make a landing in something, such as bad weather, darkness, daylight, fog, etc. • You can’t land this plane in fog like this. • The novice pilot is not capable of landing in the dark., Phrase(s): land someone in something
to cause someone to end up in something. • His criminal activity finally landed him in jail. • You really landed yourself in a fine mess!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Also, land up. Arrive at, end in something. For example, This situation could land you in a terrible mess, or I never thought I'd land up with a reward for excellence. These expressions both employ land in the sense of "to end," a usage dating from the late 1600s.
American Heritage Idioms