be over someone’s head—(also: be above someone’s head) said of smth. too difficult to understand:
- I bought a handful of photographic magazines and when I got home to read them, I found they were completely over my head.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase be in over one’s head—be involved in a situation too difficult to deal with:
- He realized that he was in over his head, and that only his family could help him.
hang over someone’s head—(of an evil, calamity, etc.) hover over a person; be imminent:
- Celia Palmer had been acquitted of all the gravest charges hanging over her head this long time.
Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase hold something over someone’s head—remind a person of his mistake or failure:
- If I turned up late, my parents would hold it over my head for the rest of my life, but if it’s Taylor, well there’s always the exception.