Idioms make language colorful, and they often express ideas in vivid and imaginative ways. For kids and new learners, idioms can be fun to learn because they don’t always mean what the words say. This post will explore idioms about being busy!
Busy Idioms
Here are 20 busy idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. Busy as a bee
Meaning: Very busy
Example: She’s busy as a bee during the spring season.
2. On the go
Meaning: Continuously busy
Example: He’s always on the go with meetings.
3. No rest for the wicked
Meaning: Continuously busy
Example: There’s no rest for the wicked at tax time.
4. Up to one’s ears
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work
Example: I’m up to my ears in homework.
5. Keep on one’s toes
Meaning: Stay active and alert
Example: This job keeps me on my toes.
6. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Work late into the night
Example: She’s burning the midnight oil again.
7. All hands on deck
Meaning: Everyone must help
Example: It’s all hands on deck during the festival.
8. In full swing
Meaning: At the busiest phase
Example: The project is in full swing now.
9. Run off one’s feet
Meaning: Extremely busy
Example: I’ve been run off my feet today.
10. Have a lot on one’s plate
Meaning: Very busy
Example: He always has a lot on his plate.
11. Back to the salt mines
Meaning: Returning to hard work
Example: Vacation’s over, back to the salt mines.
12. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start working hard immediately
Example: She hit the ground running at her new job.
13. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Do more than is expected
Example: He always goes the extra mile at work.
14. Pull an all-nighter
Meaning: Stay awake all night working
Example: We pulled an all-nighter to finish the project.
15. Snowed under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with work
Example: I’m totally snowed under this week.
16. Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning: Use your time well
Example: We make hay while the sun shines.
17. Biting off more than you can chew
Meaning: Taking on too much work
Example: He’s bitten off more than he can chew.
18. Knee deep in work
Meaning: Involved in a lot of work
Example: She’s knee deep in reports.
19. Time is money
Meaning: Work quickly, time is valuable
Example: Remember, time is money!
20. In the thick of it
Meaning: Fully involved in a busy situation
Example: He’s in the thick of the audit season.
