Over my head

Question

In this thread
thread/thread/a36fb01e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de

there is an explanation of the expression ``over one's head'' which seems to imply that its meaning is ``not to be comprehended'' by something. I suppose, then, that if one wishes to speak about oneself, one could say ``over my head'' to still mean the same thing.
But if I say ``I'm in over my head'' as that popular song from The Fray does, then what would I mean by it? Would I mean that I don't comprehend myself? I would not think so. The impression that I get from reading such expression is that I'm somewhat in trouble; that I went too deep on something and now I don't know how to get out of it as if I'm drowing; that is, I'm in with water over my head, so I can't breathe anymore. I'm not sure of the song by The Fray is a good source of the usage, but it's the only one I have right now; even because if you search for it on google, all you get are the popular hits The Fray.

Perhaps the ``in'' in the expression changes it considerably; explanations are very welcome. Thanks much.

Usenet · Accepted Answer

Daniel C. Bastos (Email Removed) had it:
[nq:1]In this thread thread/thread/a36fb01e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de there is an explanation of the expression ``over one's head'' which seems to imply that ... now; even because if you search for it on google, all you get are the popular hits The Fray.[/nq]
Two different expressions:
It went over his head.
He's in over his head.
The first means that he didn't understand the "it" (it might indicate that he wasn't clever enough to understand it). This is often noted in Usenet by "Whoosh!", which is the sound of something going over your head. Note that motion is involved - it has to be "going" over your head.
The second means that he has got into something which is beyond his capability. I imagine it refers, as you suggest, to water too deep to stand in. Similar to "He's out of his depth".

David
==

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In this thread thread/thread/a36fb01e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de there is an explanation of the expression ``over one's head'' which seems to imply that ... that if one wishes to speak about oneself, one could say ``over my head'' to still mean the same thing.[/nq]
In full, "that went (right) over my head."
[nq:1]But if I say ``I'm in over my head'' as that popular song from The Fray does, then what would ... popular hits The Fray. Perhaps the ``in'' in the expression changes it considerably; explanations are very welcome. Thanks much.[/nq]
Yes, the "in" makes all the difference.
Your interpretations in both instances are correct.

Stephen
Lennox Head, Australia

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]In this thread thread/thread/a36fb01e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de there is an explanation of ... all you get are the popular hits The Fray.[/nq]
[nq:1]Two different expressions: It went over his head. He's in over his head. The first means that he didn't understand ... as you suggest, to water too deep to stand in. Similar to "He's out of his depth". David ==[/nq]
that's pretty much what i thought it would mean too

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Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In this thread thread/thread/a36fb01e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de there is an explanation of the expression ``over one's head'' which seems to imply that ... popular hits The Fray. Perhaps the ``in'' in the expression changes it considerably; explanations are very welcome. Thanks much.[/nq]
"In over one's head" means that one is in a situation where they are expected to perform beyond their capability; metaphorically, one is in deeper water than they can cope with. An equivalent phrase is "out of my depth." For example, "I could follow the conversation as long it was about basic math, but when it turned to derivations, I found I was in over my head."
Something that "goes over one's head" is something that one does not understand or a reference that one misses. In this case, the metaphor is of a ball thrown "over one's head," too high to catch. It usually is used to refer to a joke, pun, or allusion that requires some particular piece of information to be fully understood: "Because he had never watched Saturday Night Live, the comment about "more cowbell" went over his head."

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Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]In this thread thread/thread/a36fb01e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de there is an explanation of the expression ``over one's head'' which seems to imply that ... that if one wishes to speak about oneself, one could say ``over my head'' to still mean the same thing.[/nq]
Think water.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]In this thread[/nq]
thread/thread/a36fb0 1e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de
[nq:2]there is an explanation of the expression ``over one's head'' ... say ``over my head'' to still mean the same thing.[/nq]
[nq:1]Think water.[/nq]
*Think water?* Maybe this Mark Wallace is an imposter. Or on medication?

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1] thread/thread/a36fb0 1e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de[/nq]
[nq:2]Think water.[/nq]
[nq:1]*Think water?* Maybe this Mark Wallace is an imposter. Or on medication?[/nq]
Think water "over your head".
Drowning, no? Swamped. The etymology's pretty obvious.

http://mwallace.net/

Usenet · Answer

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.english.usage/browse thread/thread/a36fb0
1e89398127/2ec73ba6518936de?lnk=gst&q=over+my+head&rnum=4#2ec73ba6518936de
[nq:2]*Think water?* Maybe this Mark Wallace is an imposter. Or on medication?[/nq]
[nq:1]Think water "over your head". Drowning, no? Swamped. The etymology's pretty obvious. http://mwallace.net/[/nq]
Of course. I was engaging another idiom. Yanking your chain

I've softened since you pulled me out of alt.creative writing with my tirades. It almost feels like another life.
Joanne

Over my head

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