Keeping myself busy Meaning in English

expression · lemma: keep myself busy

US

ˈkipɪŋ/ /ˌmaɪˈsɛɫf/ /ˈbɪzi

KEE-ping my-SELF BIZ-ee

UK

kˈiːpɪŋ/ /maɪsˈɛlf/ /bˈɪzi

kee-PING my-SELF BIZ-ee

Definition

Doing activities or tasks so that you are not bored or thinking too much, especially during free time or when feeling lonely.

Usage & Nuances

Common in everyday English to explain how you deal with boredom or loneliness. Used informally; often paired with hobbies or chores ('I've been keeping myself busy with reading'). Not used for official work duty.

• Spanish: mantenerme ocupado(a) - distraerme
• Portuguese (BR): me manter ocupado(a) - ocupar meu tempo
• Portuguese (PT): manter-me ocupado(a) - ocupar o meu tempo
• Chinese (Simplified): 让自己忙起来 - 让自己有事做
• Chinese (Traditional): 讓自己忙起來 - 讓自己有事做
• Hindi: खुद को व्यस्त रखना
• Arabic: أُبقي نفسي مشغولاً
• Bengali: নিজেকে ব্যস্ত রাখা - নিজেকে ব্যস্ত রাখছি
• Russian: себя занимать - быть занятым
• Japanese: 自分を忙しくする - 忙しくしている
• Vietnamese: giữ cho bản thân bận rộn
• Korean: 나 자신을 바쁘게 하다 - 바쁘게 지내다
• Turkish: kendimi meşgul etmek
• Urdu: خود کو مصروف رکھنا
• Indonesian: menjaga diri tetap sibuk - menyibukkan diri

Example Sentences

I've been keeping myself busy by cleaning the house.

basic

Reading books helps with keeping myself busy.

basic

During the weekend, I focus on keeping myself busy.

basic

Whenever I start to feel lonely, I focus on keeping myself busy with little projects.

natural

I've been keeping myself busy lately, so I don't have much time to think about it.

natural

People keep asking what I've been doing, but I'm just keeping myself busy with whatever I can find.

natural