Keep your head above water Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Financial Stress Used when discussing financial struggles or stability. Many small businesses are just keeping their head above water. Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Usage Understand it's a metaphor for surviving tough times, not literally swimming. After her rent hike, Lily was struggling to keep her head above water. Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Overtones Can imply worry or anxiety about staying afloat financially. To keep his head above water, he worked two jobs.