"Out of my depth"

Question

I would like to say: "I start to get panicky when I'm out of my depth". (With respect to swimming in deep water.)

The translate option suggests: fuera de mi profundidad, but this seems too literal to me.

"Me entra pánico cuando esté fuera de mi profundidad".

Does this sound reasonable, or is there a better way?

Many thanks!

Answer 1

Hi, sheily!

I'd say:

Me entra el pánico cuando no hago pie.

So, would I say : ...cuando no hago pie en el agua...? Many thanks for your response! - Sheily, Feb 7, 2012

Oh, and el panico - Sheily, Feb 7, 2012

Sorry ipad - Sheily, Feb 7, 2012

Wow, iPad is acting up and cutting me off, el panico not just panico? - Sheily, Feb 7, 2012

Answer 2

I would just rephrase the English to remove the idiom.

How would you say this in English?

My problems are too difficult for my abilities?

Try a few, and they will probably translate directly.

Better still, if some Spanish idiom fits the situation.... but that would take a lot more study and/or research.

Hi Andy - ian-hill, Feb 19, 2012

Answer 3

Thanks for the answers, but I literally mean "out of my depth" when I'm swimming in deep water. I'm not looking for an idiom.

Perhaps I could say: Me entra pánico nadando en agua profundo.

Answer 4

I found this in a phrasebook I have:

to be out of one's depths, to be in over one's head, not to be up to the task:

"meterse en camisa de once varas" This must surely be an idiom, because it doesn't translate.