Been keeping myself busy Meaning in English

expression · lemma: keep oneself busy

US

BIN, BINN, or BUHN KEE-ping my-SELF BIZ-ee

UK

BEEN KEE-ping my-SELF BIZ-ee

Definition

A casual way to say you have stayed active or occupied with activities, usually when someone asks how you have been.

Usage & Nuances

This expression is informal and commonly used in small talk. It's a polite way to avoid sharing details but still answer questions like 'How have you been?' It often suggests you have activities, even if nothing exciting.

• Spanish: he estado ocupándome - me he mantenido ocupado/a
• Portuguese (BR): tenho me mantido ocupado/a
• Portuguese (PT): tenho me mantido ocupado/a
• Chinese (Simplified): 一直让自己忙起来
• Chinese (Traditional): 一直讓自己忙起來
• Hindi: मैं अपने आप को व्यस्त रख रहा हूँ
• Arabic: كنت أشغل نفسي
• Bengali: আমি নিজেকে ব্যস্ত রেখেছি
• Russian: занимал(а) себя делами
• Japanese: ずっと自分を忙しくしていた
• Vietnamese: tôi đã tự làm mình bận rộn
• Korean: 계속 바쁘게 지냈어
• Turkish: kendimi meşgul ettim
• Urdu: میں خود کو مصروف رکھ رہا ہوں
• Indonesian: saya terus menyibukkan diri

Example Sentences

I have been keeping myself busy with work lately.

basic

During the holidays, I have been keeping myself busy by reading books.

basic

She has been keeping herself busy with gardening.

basic

Yeah, I've been keeping myself busy — you know, just lots of little things.

natural

I've been keeping myself busy since you left — makes the time go faster.

natural

Honestly, I've just been keeping myself busy so I don't overthink things.

natural