What Does Deep in the Weeds Mean

In the weeds is restaurant slang used to describe a server who is hopelessly behind. An online glossary of restaurant terms puts it like this: “A colloquial expression used when persons are near or beyond their capacity to handle a situation or cannot catch up. Struggling. Very busy.”

Why do they call it in the weeds?

The origin of the idiom in the weeds is unknown. Some believe that it originated during the American Prohibition era, when bootleggers and moonshiners hid their liquor in fields. Others believe it is an aviation term, referring to missing a runway when landing and ending up in the weeds.

What does it mean to get out of the weeds?

: to remove (people or things that are not wanted) from a group They will review the applications to weed out the less qualified candidates.

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Maya Lin-Takahashi

Consumer Tech & Gadget Reviewer

Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.

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