Be knee-deep in American British informal verb phrase
1. Used when something that reaches one's knees.
James was knee-deep in water when he tried to rescue a kitten from the flood.
Having left our house empty for three months, we were knee-deep in wild grasses when returning.
2. Used to indicate a great amount of something which is sometimes even redundant.
I'm always knee-deep in deadlines during this semester.
My sister has been knee-deep in flowers that were gifted at her dance performance.
3. Used when one is involved in difficult or troublesome tasks.
Our country is still knee-deep in the second wave of coronavirus.
I have been knee-deep in housework all day when our family moved to the new house.
The verb "be" should be conjugated according to its tense.
To do something in an unusual way
I guess I like to run against the grain in everything I do.