What is the literal and figurative meaning of expression he up to his ears in debt?

The expression "he's up to his ears in debt" is a figurative idiom. Here's a breakdown of its literal and figurative meanings:

Literal meaning:

* It literally means that someone is so deeply in debt that the debt would literally reach their ears if it were physically possible. This is obviously impossible and not meant to be taken literally.

Figurative meaning:

* It means that someone is heavily in debt and has a lot of financial obligations. It emphasizes the overwhelming amount of debt they have accumulated, making it difficult for them to manage.

The phrase implies:

* Financial hardship: The person is struggling to make ends meet and likely facing significant financial stress.

* Overwhelming debt: The debt is so substantial that it feels insurmountable.

* Possible consequences: It suggests potential problems like bankruptcy or financial ruin.

Example:

"After losing his job and struggling to make rent, John found himself up to his ears in debt. He was constantly worried about making his loan payments and barely had enough money to buy groceries."