Explanations + Quiz
10 English expressions that mean “I’m busy.”
Here’s an explanation of the useful English expressions that mean “I’m busy”:
- I have a lot to do
This is a straightforward way to say that you are very busy with tasks or responsibilities.- Example: “I can’t come to the party tonight, I have a lot to do.”
- I have a lot on my plate
This means you have many responsibilities or commitments that keep you busy, like your “plate” is full of things to manage.- Example: “I wish I could help, but I already have a lot on my plate with work and family.”
- I’m buried in work
This implies you are overwhelmed with work and almost feel like you are “buried” under all the tasks.- Example: “I’m sorry I haven’t called you back. I’m buried in work.”
- I bit off more than I can chew
This phrase is used when you have taken on too much and now feel overwhelmed because you can’t handle it all.- Example: “I agreed to plan the party and finish a big project at work. I think I bit off more than I can chew.”
- I’m up to my ears in work
This means you’re extremely busy, as if the work has piled up to your ears.- Example: “I can’t go out this weekend. I’m up to my ears in work.”
- I barely have enough time to breathe
This phrase expresses extreme busyness, as if you’re so occupied that you don’t even have time to take a breath.- Example: “Between meetings and deadlines, I barely have enough time to breathe.”
- I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off
This idiom means you’re so busy that you’re frantically moving from task to task without any clear direction, like you’re out of control.- Example: “I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off all week trying to get everything done.”
- I’m busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest
This humorous and exaggerated idiom means you are extremely busy, using a funny comparison to describe the difficulty of handling so much at once.- Example: “With the kids, the house, and my job, I’m busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.”
- I’m slammed
This is a casual and modern way to say that you are very busy, especially with work or a lot of things happening at once.- Example: “I’m sorry I missed your call. I’ve been slammed with work all day.”
- I’m swamped
Similar to “I’m buried,” this means you’re overwhelmed with work or responsibilities, as if you’re sinking in a “swamp” of tasks.
- Example: “I can’t hang out tonight. I’m completely swamped with this project.”
These expressions vary in tone from casual to humorous but all convey the same idea: you’re very busy!
Practice
“I’m Busy” Idioms QUIZ
Here’s a quiz to test your understanding of the expressions that mean “I’m busy.” In each question, choose the option that correctly uses the expression.
1. You have a lot of responsibilities at work and home this week. What could you say?
a) I have a lot on my plate.
b) I have a lot in my bowl.
c) I have a lot on my desk.
2. You’re completely overwhelmed with work and can barely keep up. What phrase fits best?
a) I’m swimming in work.
b) I’m buried in work.
c) I’m swimming under work.
3. You’ve accepted too many tasks and now feel overwhelmed. What do you say?
a) I bit off more than I can chew.
b) I bit more than I can eat.
c) I took more than I can chew.
4. You are busy and stressed, constantly moving from one task to another without stopping. How do you describe this?
a) I’m running around like a chicken with its feathers plucked.
b) I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
c) I’m running around like a chicken on fire.
5. You are completely slammed with work and don’t have time to do anything else. What should you say?
a) I’m slammed.
b) I’m squeezed.
c) I’m pressed.
6. You barely have any free time because of your workload. What’s the best phrase?
a) I barely have time to sleep.
b) I barely have enough time to rest.
c) I barely have enough time to breathe.
7. Your work responsibilities are overwhelming, and you feel like you are drowning. What’s the right expression?
a) I’m swamped.
b) I’m soaked.
c) I’m drenched.
8. You feel as though you’ve taken on too much and now feel overwhelmed. What could you say?
a) I took more than I could manage.
b) I bit off more than I can chew.
c) I chewed off more than I can bite.
9. You are extremely busy and barely have time to sit down. What humorous expression could you use?
a) I’m busier than a one-legged man in a dancing contest.
b) I’m busier than a one-legged man in a kicking contest.
c) I’m busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.
10. You’ve been constantly working without a break, but you don’t feel stressed. What phrase could you use?
a) It’s a walk in the park.
b) It’s a hike in the mountains.
c) It’s a jog in the park.
11. You’ve taken on too many tasks and now feel overwhelmed by all your responsibilities. What expression works best?
a) I’m filled up with work.
b) I’m buried in work.
c) I’m stacked with work.
12. You are stressed because there’s so much to do, and you don’t know where to start. What do you say?
a) I’m running like a headless chicken.
b) I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
c) I’m running with no head like a chicken.
13. You have more tasks than time, and you’re working as fast as you can. What could you say?
a) I’m up to my nose in work.
b) I’m up to my neck in work.
c) I’m up to my ears in work.
14. You are extremely busy and exhausted from doing too much. What’s the best expression?
a) I’m dead tired with work.
b) I’m drained from work.
c) I’m slammed with work.
15. You are completely overwhelmed by your tasks. What should you say?
a) I’m drowning in work.
b) I’m floating in work.
c) I’m sinking in work.
Answer Key:
- a) I have a lot on my plate.
- b) I’m buried in work.
- a) I bit off more than I can chew.
- b) I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
- a) I’m slammed.
- c) I barely have enough time to breathe.
- a) I’m swamped.
- b) I bit off more than I can chew.
- c) I’m busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.
- a) It’s a walk in the park.
- b) I’m buried in work.
- b) I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
- c) I’m up to my ears in work.
- c) I’m slammed with work.
- a) I’m drowning in work.