deep in doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep in doing" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used to convey being heavily engaged in an activity or task, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "She was deep in doing her research when the phone rang."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In Dostoevsky's short novel The Double, his tortured self-humiliating protagonist Golyadkin repeatedly hovers on the verge of doing something unutterably maladroit in public, resolves firmly not to, then finds himself waist-deep in doing it.

Forbes

Your attorney can also provide you with valuable insight that may lean heavily on your decision to rent prior to becoming knee-deep in doing so.

Huffington Post

But we note, alongside us in the Man Soor's carparks, lobbies and dining areas, crowds of smiling Kulmiye operatives, slapping eachother on the back, shaking hands, deep in discussion, doing deals.

The Economist

Hitler's government, deep in denial, did little to ease the refugees' distress.

The New York Times - Books

This formulation, which places the roots of today's geographically distinctive groups of H. sapiens extremely deep in time, does not accord well with how the evolutionary process is known to work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If you must open a door make sure everyone is in a deep sleep before doing so with creaky doors.

WikiHow

These two methods reflect in different ways Aristotle's deepest motivations for doing philosophy in the first place.

SEP

With each passing week, the two sides have dug in deeper, doing their utmost to outmaneuver and undercut each other.

The New York Times

The souls deepest in hell don't burn, they're frozen in ice.

The New York Times

But only by getting deeper in debt did they ward off two foreclosure actions.

The New York Times

On Thursday they were deep in the muck, doing their best to carefully document and extract the bones at top speed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives such as "immersed in", "engrossed in", or "heavily involved in" to convey a more common and nuanced meaning than "deep in doing".

Common error

While understandable, "deep in doing" might sound less professional in formal contexts. Opt for stronger, more precise verbs and phrases that clearly articulate the level of involvement or engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep in doing" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a gerund, indicating the extent or depth of involvement in an action. Ludwig AI suggests it's grammatically acceptable, though not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deep in doing" describes a state of immersion or involvement in an activity. While grammatically sound, it is not a common idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically acceptable but also notes that it is not a standard phrase and may benefit from stronger, more direct alternatives. Sources include news outlets, encyclopedias, and science-related articles, suggesting a neutral to informal register. For more formal writing, phrases like "immersed in" or "heavily involved in" may provide greater clarity and impact. Consider the context and desired level of formality when choosing to use "deep in doing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immersed in the process of

This alternative suggests complete absorption in the activity itself, shifting the focus slightly from the action to the encompassing process.

engrossed in carrying out

Engrossed emphasizes a mental capture by the activity, adding an element of intense focus that "deep in doing" may not fully convey.

heavily involved in performing

This suggests a significant level of participation and action, with a strong focus on the performance aspect.

intensely engaged in undertaking

The term 'intensely' suggests an additional emotional investment or heightened energy, not directly implied by "deep in doing".

far along in completing

This alternative focuses on the progress or advancement within a task, highlighting the stage of completion.

well advanced in executing

Highlights the state of progress in relation to the activity's execution.

knee-deep in the act of

This alternative uses a more figurative, visual metaphor to indicate involvement, suggesting a level of being overwhelmed or significantly engaged.

caught up in the midst of

This phrase suggests a sense of being overtaken or preoccupied by the activity, emphasizing a loss of awareness of other things.

profoundly implicated in enacting

This choice conveys a deeper sense of consequence or impact arising from the action, suggesting a significant role or effect.

thoroughly absorbed in undertaking

Absorbed focuses on the mental aspect of being completely engaged with the activity, potentially minimizing the emphasis on action.

FAQs

What does "deep in doing" mean?

The phrase "deep in doing" suggests being heavily involved or immersed in an activity. However, it is not a standard idiom and might sound unusual to some speakers.

What can I say instead of "deep in doing"?

You can use alternatives like "immersed in", "engrossed in", or "heavily involved in" depending on the context.

Is "deep in doing" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "deep in doing" is not a conventional idiomatic expression. It's grammatically sound but may lack the idiomatic strength of alternatives.

In what contexts is "deep in doing" most appropriate?

The phrase might be suitable in informal or creative writing. In formal or professional contexts, consider using more common and precise alternatives to clearly convey your intended meaning.