Signification
To be heavily in debt or deeply involved in a bad situation.
Contexte culturel
Turkish people often use water and sea metaphors because of the country's geography (surrounded by three seas). 'Batmak' is also used for a ship sinking, which adds to the drama of the idiom. In the late Ottoman period, the state was 'boğazına kadar borca batmış' to European powers, leading to the 'Duyun-u Umumiye' (Public Debt Administration). This historical trauma makes the idiom very resonant. With the rise of credit card culture in Turkey, this idiom has seen a massive resurgence in daily talk among the middle class.
Use it for emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, use this instead of just saying 'Çok borcum var'. It shows you understand Turkish emotional depth.
Don't use for physical water
If you are literally in a pool up to your neck, just say 'Su boyuma geliyor'. Using 'batmak' implies you are drowning/dying.
Signification
To be heavily in debt or deeply involved in a bad situation.
Use it for emphasis
If you want to sound like a native, use this instead of just saying 'Çok borcum var'. It shows you understand Turkish emotional depth.
Don't use for physical water
If you are literally in a pool up to your neck, just say 'Su boyuma geliyor'. Using 'batmak' implies you are drowning/dying.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Bütün parasını borsada kaybetti, şimdi ________ kadar battı.
The idiom specifically uses 'boğaz' (throat) to indicate the level of trouble.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct usage:
The idiom is used for negative figurative situations like lies or debt, not for eating or literal swimming.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Neden bu kadar üzgünsün?' Mehmet: 'Sorma Ayşe, şirket iflas etti ve ________.'
Mehmet is explaining his dire financial situation after a bankruptcy.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesBütün parasını borsada kaybetti, şimdi ________ kadar battı.
The idiom specifically uses 'boğaz' (throat) to indicate the level of trouble.
Select the correct usage:
The idiom is used for negative figurative situations like lies or debt, not for eating or literal swimming.
Ayşe: 'Neden bu kadar üzgünsün?' Mehmet: 'Sorma Ayşe, şirket iflas etti ve ________.'
Mehmet is explaining his dire financial situation after a bankruptcy.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsYes, but it's less common than using it for debt. It sounds very dramatic, like the work is killing you.
It's not rude, but it is very blunt. Use it carefully when talking about other people.
'Gırtlak' is more informal and sounds more 'messy'. Use 'boğaz' for general situations.
Expressions liées
borç batağı
similarDebt swamp
başı dertte olmak
similarTo be in trouble
günahına batmak
specialized formTo be steeped in sin
