What does 'head above water' mean?

[Nigmatullina]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #381 "English Slang Idioms (112)", question 2

When she first started working for the company she had a hard time keeping her head above .......... She could barely cope with the workload and with learning all the different company regulations.

(a) ground
(b) water
(c) criticisms
(d) clouds

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #381 "English Slang Idioms (112)", answer 2

When she first started working for the company she had a hard time keeping her head above water. She could barely cope with the workload and with learning all the different company regulations.

Correct answer: (b) water
_________________________

Hello,
Will be correct if I choose the word ground? Please explain . Many thanks.

[Alan]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

94 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hi,

'Water' is the only possible word here. It means that she was just able to survive. If you are having difficulty swimming in the sea or a lake, you need to keep your head above water so that you don't go under and drown.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Foah]

Hi Nigmatullina,

first of all "keeping the head above water" looks like a fixed English term. On the other hand "above ground" in my imagination needed a definite article since ground provides the idea of being solid. So that it´s not so hard to keep the head above the ground whereat you might drown in water if you don´t strive hard.

Just my humble idea of it

Michael

[Nigmatullina]

Dear Alan,
Thanks a lot for your help.

Regards,
Ramilya