The phrase often suggests a situation is intense or extreme and difficult to manage.

Intensity

Sometimes used hyperbolically to emphasize the amount of something one has to deal with.

Exaggeration

Most commonly used in negative or overwhelming contexts, rather than positive ones.

Indicates a high level of personal involvement or commitment to a situation.

Often implies challenges or difficulties associated with the situation one is involved in.

Suggests being in a situation that is hard to escape from or requires substantial effort to resolve.

Implies deep involvement in complex or serious matters, often more than initially apparent.

Used when someone's responsibilities or problems are so numerous they feel overburdened.