Be snowed under Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈsnoʊd/ /ˈəndɝ

bee SNOHD UHN-der

UK

bˈiː/ /snˈəʊd/ /ˈʌndɐ

bee SNOHD UN-duh

Definition

To have so much work or so many tasks that you feel overwhelmed and cannot handle it all; to be extremely busy.

Usage & Nuances

Informal phrase, mainly used for work or studies, not for personal feelings. Common with 'with work', 'with emails', etc.: 'I'm snowed under with paperwork.' Often used to politely refuse requests. Not used for good things piling up.

• Spanish: estar abrumado (de trabajo) - estar saturado
• Portuguese (BR): estar atolado (de trabalho) - estar sobrecarregado
• Portuguese (PT): estar atolado (de trabalho) - estar sobrecarregado
• Chinese (Simplified): 忙不过来 - 被事情压得喘不过气
• Chinese (Traditional): 忙不過來 - 被事情壓得喘不過氣
• Hindi: काम में डूबे होना - काम से दबे होना
• Arabic: مثقل بالعمل - غارق في العمل
• Bengali: কাজে ডুবে যাওয়া - অতি ব্যস্ত থাকা
• Russian: завален работой - по уши в делах
• Japanese: 仕事に追われている
• Vietnamese: bị ngập trong công việc - bận ngập đầu
• Korean: 일에 파묻히다 - 일이 산더미처럼 많다
• Turkish: işe boğulmak - iş yükü altında ezilmek
• Urdu: کام کے بوجھ تلے دب جانا - بہت مصروف ہونا
• Indonesian: kelebihan kerja - kewalahan dengan pekerjaan

Example Sentences

I am snowed under at work this week.

basic

Sorry, I can't help right now—I am snowed under with emails.

basic

She is snowed under with homework every night.

basic

Everyone's snowed under because of the new project deadline.

natural

I'm totally snowed under—let's reschedule the meeting for next week?

natural

If you’re snowed under, just let me know and I’ll take care of it.

natural