A turtle makes progress when it sticks its neck out.
To stick your neck out
[To take risks.]
To be up to your neck in something
[To be very busy or to have too much of something.]
[To take risks.]
To be up to your neck in something
[To be very busy or to have too much of something.]
- I’m up to my neck in work / debt / problems etc.
A pain (in the neck)
[A person or thing that is very annoying.]
[A person or thing that is very annoying.]
- Stop being such a pain!
- This contract is a real pain in the neck!
Also very informally, you can say -
- A pain in the ass or a pain in the butt (US)
- A pain in the arse or a pain in the backside (UK)
Referência: "Gems of Wisdom - Inspirational Messages to Enhance the Quality of Your Life and Improve Your English" de Jack Scholes - Disal Editora, 2007. Leia a resenha.