# keep one's head above water

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To survive or endure, especially in a situation in which one is struggling to avoid being overwhelmed by adverse financial circumstances.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: maintain an above-water position of one's head so as not to drown in the water.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/keep-one-s-head-above-water