bite-off-more-than-you-can-chew
/baɪt ɒf mɔː ðæn juː kən tʃuː/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
To take on a task or responsibility that is too big or too difficult. It means you try to do more than you can manage well.
- He bit off more than he could chew with two jobs.
- Don't bite off more than you can chew at work.
Adinary Nuance
This idiom is closer to overestimate yourself than to fail. It focuses on the mistake of accepting too much work before things go wrong. People use it when someone is ambitious but not realistic. It is stronger and more everyday than saying someone is simply busy.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Ôm đồm quá sức
- Spanish
- Abarcar demasiado
- Chinese
- 好高骛远
- Japanese
- 手に余る
- Korean
- 감당할 수 없다
Etymology
This idiom comes from the idea of putting too much food in your mouth at once. It became common in English in the 1800s.
Common phrases
bite off more than you can chewbit off more than she could chewbiting off more than they can chew
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is bite off more than you can chew formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in speech and writing. It is fine in essays, reports, and everyday conversation.
- What is the difference between bite off more than you can chew and overwork?
- Bite off more than you can chew means you accepted too much. Overwork means you are doing too much, even if you did not choose it.
- Can I use this idiom for study and work?
- Yes. People use it for exams, projects, jobs, and other responsibilities.