keep your head above water
/kiːp jɔːr hɛd əˈbʌv ˈwɔːtər/
Meaning
To survive or manage to survive a difficult situation, especially one involving financial trouble or an overwhelming amount of work. It implies doing just enough to avoid failing or going under.
Examples
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With all these medical bills, we're barely keeping our heads above water.
With all these medical bills, we're barely keeping our heads above water.
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The business is struggling, but we are managing to keep our heads above water.
The business is struggling, but we are managing to keep our heads above water.
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I have so much homework this week, I'm just trying to keep my head above water.
I have so much homework this week, I'm just trying to keep my head above water.
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Starting a new job can be stressful, but you'll soon learn how to keep your head above water.
Starting a new job can be stressful, but you'll soon learn how to keep your head above water.
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They had to take out a loan just to keep their heads above water.
They had to take out a loan just to keep their heads above water.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I am trying to keep my head up water.
✓ I am trying to keep my head above water.
The correct preposition is 'above', reflecting the physical metaphor of not drowning.
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✗ We must keep our head above water.
✓ We must keep our heads above water.
When referring to multiple people, 'head' must be pluralized to 'heads' to match the subject.
Related Expressions
Practice
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With the rent increase, they are struggling to ___.
💡 Manage to survive financially (plural).
Show answer
keep their heads above water
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I've been so busy at work that I can barely ___.
💡 Survive a heavy workload (singular).
Show answer
keep my head above water