Spread thin Meaning in English
expression
ˈspɹɛd/ /ˈθɪn
SPRED THIN
spɹˈɛd/ /θˈɪn
sp-RED thin
Definition
To try to do too many things at once, so that you do not have enough time or energy for each one.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often about work or responsibilities. Usually said as 'be spread thin' or 'spread yourself too thin.' Common in contexts of work, school, parenting, or volunteer work. It doesn't mean physical spreading; it's about time, resources, or attention.
Spanish: estar sobrecargado - estar demasiado ocupadoPortuguese (BR): estar sobrecarregado - estar muito ocupadoPortuguese (PT): estar sobrecarregado - estar demasiado ocupadoChinese (Simplified): 分身乏术 - 应接不暇Chinese (Traditional): 分身乏術 - 應接不暇Hindi: बहुत ज्यादा काम में फँसनाArabic: مُشتَّت - مضغوط (بكثرة الأعمال)Bengali: অতিরিক্তভাবে ব্যস্ত থাকা - একসাথে অনেক কাজ করাRussian: слишком распыляться - быть перегруженнымJapanese: 手一杯になる - 手を広げすぎるVietnamese: bị quá tải - ôm đồm quá nhiều việcKorean: 너무 여러 일에 손을 대다 - 일을 너무 많이 벌이다Turkish: çok dağılmak - kendini fazla yormakUrdu: اپنے آپ کو بہت زیادہ کاموں میں بانٹ لیناIndonesian: terlalu banyak menangani - membagi diri ke terlalu banyak hal
Example Sentences
I'm spread thin at work right now.
basic
She was spread thin trying to help everyone.
basic
Don't spread yourself too thin or you'll get tired.
basic
With two jobs and three kids, he's really spread thin these days.
natural
I can't take on another project—I'm already spread thin.
natural
Don't spread yourself too thin or you'll burn out fast.
natural