out of your depth.

In a situation beyond one’s present skill, knowledge, or capacity to cope.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• feel out of your depth
• completely out of your depth
• seem out of your depth

On the page

With no training in navigation, she felt out of her depth when the radio failed.

The junior lawyer was out of his depth under the hostile questioning.

I knew I was out of my depth and asked the rescue team to take over.

Usage notes

Primary category: fear. A condition, not necessarily fear; apprehension arises from recognizing inadequate resources. Also has a literal swimming sense. Fixed phrase; change your to my, his, her, our, or their as the subject requires.