up to the elbows
Meaning
up to the elbows
Alternative form of up to one's elbows
Examples
My arms are up to the elbows in blood. That is the most terrible thing that lies in my soul.
My father was a joyous, joyous spirit, he really was. He was a hedonist, that was just - he enjoyed life, thrust up to the elbows with it. He was a terrible father. I don't know that he was parented that well.
To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. It is easy to say no, even if saying no means death.