be submerged
[/bɪ səbˈmɜːrdʒd/]
verb
estar submerso/submersa
1. to be completely underwater or covered by a liquid
The island will be submerged if sea levels continue to rise.
A ilha será submersa se os níveis do mar continuarem a subir.
2. to be deeply absorbed or involved in something, often overwhelmed
She was submerged in her work and didn't notice the time passing.
Ela estava submersa em seu trabalho e não notou o tempo passar.
3. to be hidden or concealed beneath the surface
The reef remains submerged during high tide.
O recife permanece submerso durante a maré alta.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'estar submerso/submersa' is used both literally for physical submersion (common in contexts about floods, drowning, maritime activities) and metaphorically for being overwhelmed by responsibilities or emotions. The term gained increased cultural relevance in Brazil due to discussions about climate change and rising sea levels affecting coastal communities.
NYC Slang
be under water (literally or figuratively in debt/trouble)
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