In at the deep end

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

28 December 2025

We use this expression to talk about starting to do a difficult job or activity before you have done any easy practising first.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

The basic course is full but there is a space on the intermediate course.

I don't really know enough Italian. It would be in at the deep end.

Example 2

Did you do any training before you started using that software application?

No. I always learn best by jumping in at the deep end and learning as I go along.