Contents
- 1 English
- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3 Verb
- 1.3.1 See also
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From allusion to an actual swimming pool.
Pronunciation[edit]
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Audio [AU] [file]
Verb[edit]
throw in at the deep end [third-person singular simple present throws in at the deep end, present participle throwing in at the deep end, simple past threw in at the deep end, past participle thrown in at the deep end]
- [idiomatic] to introduce a person to a new situation without adequately preparing him or her.
See also[edit]
- hit the ground running
- sink or swim
- in at the deep end
Meaning: If you are thrown in at the deep end, you have to deal with serious issues the moment you start something like a job, instead of having time to acquire experience.
Country: International English | Subject Area: General | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used
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See also:
- View examples in Google: Throw someone in at the deep end
- Idiom Definition
- Idiom Quizzes
informal
—used in phrases such as throw in [at] the deep end and jump in [at] the deep end to describe starting a new and difficult activity when one is not fully prepared or ready to do it
After graduating, he was not afraid to jump in at the deep end and start his new business alone.Teachers are thrown in the deep end when they first start teaching.
Dictionary Entries Near the deep end
Cite this Entry
“The deep end.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20deep%20end. Accessed 15 Nov. 2022.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
To prompt or force one to begin doing something very complex and/or unfamiliar, especially suddenly and without guidance, assistance, or preparation. I had never worked in sales before, but my boss threw me in at the deep end, and I learned quickly. The lecturer likes to throw his students in at the deep end on the first day of class by assigning them to write a 2,000-word essay on one of
Shakespeare's plays. Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved. COMMON If you throw someone in at the deep end, you make them learn how to do a job or task by starting with the most difficult parts. I believe you gain confidence by being thrown in at the deep end. Then there's no way out. You have to get on with it and
produce the goods. Note: You can also say that you jump in at the deep end, meaning that you choose to do this yourself. Sometimes you learn more by jumping in at the deep end. Note: The deep end is the end of a swimming pool where the water is deepest. Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012throw [one] in at the deep end
throw someone in at the deep end