English Idiom · Let's Master English

English Idiom

"Bite off more than you can chew.”

It means “To take on more responsibility or tasks than you are capable of handling.”

This idiom is often used to advise someone not to overcommit themselves or take on too much at once. It's a warning against being overly ambitious or trying to do too many things simultaneously.

This phrase is thought to have originated from the idea that if you try to bite off more food than you can chew, you'll end up with a mouthful of food that you can't swallow or digest properly.

Similarly, when you take on too much, you may struggle to manage your tasks effectively and risk failing or feeling overwhelmed.

For instance:

Don't bite off more than you can chew, start with small tasks and gradually increase your workload.

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