Up to his ears

He's up to his ears in work and cannot possibly see you now.

If you give me a hand, then I shall be able to finish more quickly.

I prefer to talk to people face to face rather than to talk on the phone.

The manager dismissed the new proposal out of hand and said that it was not at all practical.

As she is new to the job I would ask you to keep an eye on her for the time being.

The opposition in parliament accused the government of playing games and refusing to accept the seriousness of the situation.

He accused her of talking through her hat and refused to accept a word of what she said.

The police advised them to go down to the cellar in order to be out of harm's way.

I'd give my right arm if I could get tickets for that concert.

You can always rely on Fred to put his foot in it and come out with a remark like that.