over one's head

1. Beyond one's understanding or competence, as in The math required to complete these figures is way over my head . [Early 1600s] For a synonym, see out of one's depth . Also see in deep (over one's head) .

2. To a position higher than another's, as in She was furious when her assistant was promoted over her head . Similarly, go over someone's head means “appeal to a higher authority,” as in Since she couldn't help me, I decided to go over her head and talk to her supervisor . [Mid-1500s]

Example Sentences

“It is little different than putting a plastic bag over one’s head.”

From Seattle Times

Besides nose-picking and spanking, other “vulgar” activities that are banned include putting underwear over one’s head and focusing the camera lens on sensitive parts of the body, such as the chest or buttocks, it said.

From Reuters

But little irritants can seem bigger than they are when the sword of Damocles is hanging over one’s head.

From Washington Times

"What better way to imaginatively capture this projected reality than through a technology of the future? Seeing ships floating over one's head really puts such a future into visual but engaging terms."

From BBC

He is at the end of his possibilities and, as he will tell Theo later, is at “a point of destitution such that one doesn’t even have a roof over one’s head and must tramp on and tramp on like a vagabond into infinity without finding either rest or food or shelter anywhere, moreover without the possibility of doing any work.”

From Literature