a. a. Immersed to the lips; in quots. fig.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Err., 233. Lip-deep in what he longs for, and yet curst With prohibition and perpetual thirst.
1867. Anderson, Rhymes, 129 (E.D.D.). Lip-deep in poverty he strove.
b. Going no deeper than the lip; superficial.
1802. Mrs. E. Parsons, Myst. Visit, I. 257. Sentiments that were merely lip-deep.
1831. Trelawny, Adv. Younger Son, I. 288. Their courage is but lip-deep.
1863. Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., ii. 36. No cold profession merely,—no lip-deep ostentation.
1897. L. Keith, Bonnie Lady, ix. 95. The lave of them are bonnie bargains, and their promises but lip deep.
