Sometimes We 'Spread Ourself Too Thin'

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

Today we talk about our busy lives. Many people have family and work responsibilities. We might have religious or community activities. Taking care of our health is also important. And let’s not forget about our personal projects, our interests, and our friendships.

With everything on our plate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overcommitted.

However, if we try to do too much, we may spread ourselves too thin. This expression means we have taken on too much. We are pushed to the limit.

People who are spread too thin, take on too many jobs, projects, or goals. The heavy load requires more energy or attention than they possess.

If we work on many projects simultaneously, or at the same time, it is possible that none will get done well, if they get done at all. And it is possible such multitasking could stress us out.

Being spread too thin can also be described as biting off more than we can chew. When we bite off more than we can chew, we attempt to do more than is possible.

Here is a VOA Learning English English in a Minute video explaining the idiom "to bite off more than you can chew."

Now, let’s hear these some of these terms and expressions used in a conversation.

B: Not great. Many of my best students are failing my course. They all missed an important deadline for a project.

A: That's strange. What else do they have going on?

B: A lot! They are all performing in the same play. So, they have had rehearsals every night for the past month. And many have part-time jobs as well.

A: Sounds like they’ve spread themselves too thin. They’ve got too much going on.

B: Well, first I’ll extend the deadline. And then I’m going to warn them about biting off more than they can chew.

And that’s all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English.

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overwhelmed – adj. overcome or overpowered by force, number, thought or feeling

overcommitted – adj. to be obligated to something beyond the ability for fulfillment

multitasking – n. the performance of several tasks at one time

stress – v. to subject to physical or psychological pressure

conversation – n. talking or a talk between two or more people

rehearsal – n. a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance