in over one's head
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- drowningDeath by water inhalation
- strugglingExperiencing serious difficulty
- swampedOverwhelmed beyond capacity
- sinkingFalling through water
deep end · floundering · underwater · gasping · desperate · panic · lost · confused · outmatched · outclassed · unprepared · clueless · novice · rookie · amateur · reckless · foolhardy · treading water
competence/capability
in over one's headin one's element
Ideally suited to surroundings
up to the task · competent · seasoned · in control · well-qualified
comfort/ease
in over one's headcomfortable
Physically at ease
at ease · on solid ground · smooth sailing · coasting · relaxed
control/mastery
in over one's headin control
Managing with authority
in the driver's seat · calling the shots · running the show · ahead of the game