dept Idiom

out of my depth

not having the knowledge, over my head I was out of my depth talking about genetics with the doctors.

beyond one's depth

Idiom(s): beyond one's depth

Theme: ABILITY

beyond one's understanding or capabilities.
• I'm beyond my depth in algebra class.
• Poor John was involved in a problem that was really beyond his depth.

beyond one's depth|beyond

adj. or adv. phr. 1. Over your head in water; in water too deep to touch bottom. Jack wasn't a good swimmer and nearly drowned when he drifted out beyond his depth. 2. In or into something too difficult for you; beyond your understanding or ability. Bill decided that his big brother's geometry book was beyond his depth. Sam's father started to explain the atom bomb to Sam but he soon got beyond his depth. When Bill played checkers against the city champion, Bill was beyond his depth.
Compare: OVER ONE'S HEAD¹.

depth

depth
see in depth; out of one's depth.

in depth

in depth
Profoundly, thoroughly, as in It will take years to cover the entire subject in depth. [Mid-1900s]

out of one's depth

out of one's depth
Also, beyond one's depth. Outside one's understanding or competence, as in He was out of his depth in that advanced calculus class, or The conductor realized that playing the fugue at the right tempo was beyond their depth. This expression alludes to being in water so deep that one might sink. [c. 1600] Also see over one's head.