The phrase "are thick with" is commonly used to describe a crowded or dense environment. The spelling of "thick" is straightforward, with the initial "th" pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative /θ/ and the following "i" pronounced as a short vowel /ɪ/. The word "with" is pronounced with a voiced labiodental fricative /w/ in the initial position, followed by a short vowel /ɪ/ and a voiceless dental fricative /θ/. When said quickly, the two words blend together seamlessly, forming the phrase "are thick with".
"Are thick with" is a phrase used to describe a situation or place that is densely filled or crowded with people, objects, or a particular element typically mentioned in the context. The term implies abundance or an overwhelming presence of something.
In a literal sense, "are thick with" can refer to a physical space or environment that is teeming with a high number or concentration of people or objects. For example, a crowded marketplace with numerous people jostling for space and goods can be said to be "thick with shoppers." Similarly, a cluttered room with objects scattered throughout can be described as "thick with clutter."
Metaphorically, the phrase is commonly employed to convey a situation where a particular element is overwhelmingly present or prevalent. For instance, if a social media platform is flooded with posts or messages on a specific topic, one may say that the platform "is thick with discussions about that subject." Similarly, if a forest is filled with a dense concentration of trees, one could describe it as "thick with foliage."
Overall, "are thick with" denotes a state of being heavily filled, crowded, or saturated with something, whether physically or figuratively. It emphasizes the abundance, density, or prevalence of the mentioned element in the described context.