to succeed to survive in bad financial situations
to keep itself out of trouble in any difficult situation
manage to live well even in financial difficulties
to keep up with some difficult work or task in unfavourable circumstances
to survive, especially in a financial situation in which one is struggling to get out
I have to work 60 hours a week just to keep my head above water. I don’t know how people do it.
With my new promotion at work it has been a struggle to keep my head above water.
They are increasing the rent on our apartment. I do not know how we are going to keep our heads above water.
In order to keep my head above water I have had to get a second job.
If my boss doesn’t employ someone to help me soon I don’t know what I am going to do. I can’t keep my head above water with all of the new orders.
There is no origin for this idiom
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definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.