adv. Up to the knuckles; with the whole hand in; hence fig., deeply, ‘up to the hilt.’
1589. Pappe w. Hatchet (1844), 41. Haue with thee knuckle deepe, it shall neuer bee said that I dare not venter mine eares where Martin hazards his necke.
1629. Massinger, Picture, III. i. Methinks I am already Knuckle-deep in the flesh-pots.
1765. Cowper, Lett. to J. Hill, Wks. 1837, XV. 4. I dare say you were knuckle-deep in contrabands.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., xiii. Shall we … be knuckle-deep in the English budgets.
