to the gills

Related to to the gills: packed to the gills

to the gills

Completely, utterly, or thoroughly. I was doped to the gills for about two weeks after my surgery. I'm off the painkillers now, but I still feel pretty out of it. I've got so many meetings and deadlines these days that my schedule is packed to the gills! We left the all-you-can-eat buffet full to the gills.
See also: gill
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

to the ˈgills

(informal) completely full: I was stuffed to the gills with chocolate cake.
Gills are the openings on the side of a fish’s head that it breathes through.
See also: gill
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

to the gills

Informal
As full as possible; completely.
See also: gill
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • dope
  • doped to the gills
  • gill
  • be doped to the gills
  • up to the gills
  • be stuffed to the gills
  • packed to the gills
  • loaded to the gills
  • stuffed to the gills
  • white around the gills