2 deep
Function:
adverbInflected forms:
deeper; deepestMeaning:
1 a : far into or below the surface of something ▪ The ship now lies deep below/beneath the water's surface. ▪ Our feet sank deeper into the mud. ▪ The treasure was buried deep within the ground. ▪ Their secret offices were located deep underground. —often used figuratively ▪ Her angry words hurt/cut him deep. [=deeply] ▪ He stared deep into her eyes. ▪ The detective dug deeper into the murder case. b : far into or inside something ▪ We walked deep into the forest. ▪ The soldiers are operating deep within enemy territory.
2 not used before a noun : at a specified measurement downward, inward, or backward ▪ I stood three feet deep in the water. ▪ They parked the cars three deep [=three cars in a row], and our car was stuck in the middle. ▪ We walked knee-deep in the snow. [=we walked in snow that was deep enough to reach our knees] ▪ He stepped ankle-deep into a puddle of mud.
3 : to a late time ▪ They danced deep [=late, well, far] into the night. [=they danced until it was very late at night]
4 sports a : near the outside edges of a playing area ▪ The outfielder was playing deep. b : for a long distance ▪ He hit/threw/kicked the ball deep down the field.
5 ◊If you breathe deep, you take a large amount of air into your lungs. ▪ The doctor told her to breathe deep. [=breathe deeply]
2 not used before a noun : at a specified measurement downward, inward, or backward ▪ I stood three feet deep in the water. ▪ They parked the cars three deep [=three cars in a row], and our car was stuck in the middle. ▪ We walked knee-deep in the snow. [=we walked in snow that was deep enough to reach our knees] ▪ He stepped ankle-deep into a puddle of mud.
3 : to a late time ▪ They danced deep [=late, well, far] into the night. [=they danced until it was very late at night]
4 sports a : near the outside edges of a playing area ▪ The outfielder was playing deep. b : for a long distance ▪ He hit/threw/kicked the ball deep down the field.
5 ◊If you breathe deep, you take a large amount of air into your lungs. ▪ The doctor told her to breathe deep. [=breathe deeply]
deep down (inside)
◊If you feel or believe something deep down or deep down inside, you feel or believe it completely even if you do not say it or show it to other people. ▪ He knew deep down inside that she was right. ▪ I believed deep down that we were going to win. ▪ Deep down, I think we all felt the same way. ▪ He might look like a mean old man, but deep down inside he is a very kind person.
in (too) deep
informal : in a difficult situation that you cannot get out of ▪ He wanted to get out of the deal, but he was in too deep.
run deep
: to be felt very strongly ▪ Fear runs deep in this small town. ▪ Her love for her family runs deep. —see also still waters run deep at 2still