Life moves fast, doesn’t it? Between juggling work deadlines, family commitments, social obligations, and everything else on our plates, it’s no wonder we often feel like we’re running on a hamster wheel. When you’re caught up in the whirlwind of modern life, sometimes you need just the right phrase to capture that frenzied feeling—or to commiserate with others who are equally overwhelmed.
That’s where idioms come in handy. These colorful expressions help us communicate the chaos, the hustle, and the nonstop nature of our busy lives in ways that plain language just can’t match. Whether you’re describing your own hectic schedule or empathizing with a friend who’s drowning in responsibilities, these 55 idioms will give you the perfect words to express what it feels like when life gets a little too full.
1. Running around like a headless chicken
Meaning: Acting in a panicked, disorganized way because you have too much to do.
In a Sentence: I’ve been running around like a headless chicken all morning trying to get everyone out the door on time.
Other Ways to Say: Running around in circles, dashing about frantically, running around like a crazy person
2. Up to my eyeballs
Meaning: Completely overwhelmed or deeply involved in something, usually work or responsibilities.
In a Sentence: I can’t take on any more projects right now—I’m up to my eyeballs in work already.
Other Ways to Say: Up to my neck, swamped, drowning in work
3. Burning the candle at both ends
Meaning: Working or staying active from early morning until late at night, exhausting yourself in the process.
In a Sentence: She’s been burning the candle at both ends trying to finish her degree while working full-time.
Other Ways to Say: Overextending yourself, working yourself to the bone, pushing yourself too hard
4. In the thick of it
Meaning: Right in the middle of a busy or difficult situation.
In a Sentence: We’re in the thick of it with tax season and won’t have a free moment until April.
Other Ways to Say: In the middle of the action, in the heat of it, right in the midst
5. Spread too thin
Meaning: Trying to do too many things at once, resulting in nothing being done well.
In a Sentence: I think I’m spread too thin—I need to drop a few commitments and focus on what matters most.
Other Ways to Say: Overextended, stretched to the limit, taking on too much
6. Like a chicken with its head cut off
Meaning: Acting frantically and without clear direction due to stress or panic.
In a Sentence: The office was like a chicken with its head cut off when the server crashed right before the presentation.
Other Ways to Say: Running around like a maniac, in a complete frenzy, totally frazzled
7. Juggling too many balls
Meaning: Trying to handle multiple tasks or responsibilities simultaneously.
In a Sentence: Between the kids’ activities, work projects, and home repairs, I feel like I’m juggling too many balls right now.
Other Ways to Say: Wearing too many hats, spinning too many plates, managing multiple things at once
8. No rest for the wicked
Meaning: There’s always more work to do; you never get a break.
In a Sentence: I just finished one deadline and now there’s another—no rest for the wicked, I guess!
Other Ways to Say: No time to breathe, always on the go, never a dull moment
9. Against the clock
Meaning: Rushing to complete something before a deadline.
In a Sentence: We’re working against the clock to get this proposal submitted by Friday.
Other Ways to Say: Racing against time, under a time crunch, pressed for time
10. Flat out
Meaning: Extremely busy; working at maximum capacity.
In a Sentence: I’ve been flat out all week preparing for the conference.
Other Ways to Say: Going full tilt, working nonstop, going at full speed
11. On the go
Meaning: Constantly busy and moving from one activity to another.
In a Sentence: She’s always on the go—I don’t know how she finds time to relax.
Other Ways to Say: Always in motion, constantly moving, never standing still
12. Run off your feet
Meaning: So busy that you barely have time to rest.
In a Sentence: The restaurant staff were run off their feet during the lunch rush.
Other Ways to Say: Rushed off your feet, worked to exhaustion, running ragged
13. Spinning your wheels
Meaning: Putting in effort but making no real progress, often due to being too busy with unproductive tasks.
In a Sentence: I’ve been spinning my wheels all day answering emails instead of finishing the actual project.
Other Ways to Say: Getting nowhere fast, treading water, stuck in a rut
14. Snowed under
Meaning: Overwhelmed with too much work or too many responsibilities.
In a Sentence: I’m completely snowed under with reports this month and can’t take on anything else.
Other Ways to Say: Buried in work, overwhelmed, swamped
15. Burning daylight
Meaning: Wasting time when you should be getting things done.
In a Sentence: Stop chatting and get to work—we’re burning daylight here!
Other Ways to Say: Wasting time, losing precious time, letting time slip away
16. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Starting a task or job with immediate energy and enthusiasm, without needing time to adjust.
In a Sentence: She hit the ground running on her first day and already has three projects underway.
Other Ways to Say: Start with a bang, dive right in, get off to a flying start
17. Nose to the grindstone
Meaning: Working hard and staying focused on a task without distraction.
In a Sentence: I need to keep my nose to the grindstone if I want to meet this deadline.
Other Ways to Say: Head down, buckle down, stay focused
18. In a rush
Meaning: Hurrying because there’s limited time.
In a Sentence: Sorry I can’t chat—I’m in a rush to get to my appointment.
Other Ways to Say: In a hurry, pressed for time, running late
19. Burning rubber
Meaning: Moving or driving very fast; rushing somewhere quickly.
In a Sentence: I had to burn rubber to get to the meeting on time after traffic held me up.
Other Ways to Say: Racing, speeding along, flying
20. All hands on deck
Meaning: Everyone is needed to help with a busy or urgent situation.
In a Sentence: We have a huge order to fill by tomorrow—it’s all hands on deck!
Other Ways to Say: Everyone pitch in, all available help needed, team effort required
21. Full plate
Meaning: Having a lot of work or responsibilities to handle.
In a Sentence: I’d love to volunteer, but I already have a full plate with work and family commitments.
Other Ways to Say: Too much on my plate, loaded schedule, plenty to handle
22. At full tilt
Meaning: Operating at maximum speed or capacity.
In a Sentence: The factory is running at full tilt to meet holiday demand.
Other Ways to Say: At full throttle, full speed ahead, maximum effort
23. Time is of the essence
Meaning: It’s very important to act quickly because time is limited.
In a Sentence: Time is of the essence if we want to catch that flight, so let’s hurry.
Other Ways to Say: Time is critical, every second counts, urgency required
24. Racing against the clock
Meaning: Trying to finish something before time runs out.
In a Sentence: We’re racing against the clock to finalize the presentation before the client arrives.
Other Ways to Say: Working against time, beating the deadline, under time pressure
25. Caught up in the rat race
Meaning: Stuck in the exhausting routine of competitive work life.
In a Sentence: He’s so caught up in the rat race that he forgot what he’s even working toward.
Other Ways to Say: Trapped in the grind, stuck in the hustle, caught in the daily grind
26. Putting out fires
Meaning: Dealing with urgent problems or crises as they arise.
In a Sentence: I spent the whole morning putting out fires instead of working on my actual tasks.
Other Ways to Say: Crisis management, handling emergencies, dealing with problems
27. No time to catch my breath
Meaning: So busy that there’s no opportunity to rest or relax.
In a Sentence: It’s been meeting after meeting today—I haven’t had time to catch my breath.
Other Ways to Say: No breathing room, no moment’s rest, constantly on the move
28. Knee-deep
Meaning: Deeply involved or overwhelmed by something.
In a Sentence: I’m knee-deep in paperwork and won’t be done for hours.
Other Ways to Say: Deep in the thick of it, heavily involved, immersed in
29. Working around the clock
Meaning: Working continuously, day and night.
In a Sentence: The team has been working around the clock to launch the new website on schedule.
Other Ways to Say: Working 24/7, nonstop work, continuous effort
30. Crunch time
Meaning: A period when pressure is high and a deadline is approaching.
In a Sentence: It’s crunch time—the report is due tomorrow and we’re only halfway done.
Other Ways to Say: Deadline pressure, critical moment, final stretch
31. Pressed for time
Meaning: Having very little time available to complete something.
In a Sentence: I’m really pressed for time today, so let’s make this quick.
Other Ways to Say: Short on time, time-strapped, running out of time
32. Burning through
Meaning: Using something up quickly, often time or resources.
In a Sentence: We’re burning through our budget with all these rush orders.
Other Ways to Say: Going through rapidly, consuming quickly, using up fast
33. Pedal to the metal
Meaning: Going as fast as possible; putting maximum effort into something.
In a Sentence: We’ve got the pedal to the metal trying to finish before the holidays.
Other Ways to Say: Full speed ahead, going all out, maximum effort
34. Tight schedule
Meaning: A schedule with little free time between activities or commitments.
In a Sentence: I have a tight schedule today with back-to-back appointments.
Other Ways to Say: Packed schedule, jam-packed day, no wiggle room
35. Hustling and bustling
Meaning: Moving around energetically while busy with various activities.
In a Sentence: The city was hustling and bustling with holiday shoppers everywhere.
Other Ways to Say: Active and busy, full of activity, buzzing with energy
36. In over my head
Meaning: Taking on more than you can handle; feeling overwhelmed by responsibility.
In a Sentence: I think I’m in over my head with this new management position.
Other Ways to Say: Out of my depth, bitten off more than I can chew, overcommitted
37. Chasing your tail
Meaning: Being busy but accomplishing very little; going in circles.
In a Sentence: I’ve been chasing my tail all day with interruptions and haven’t finished anything.
Other Ways to Say: Going in circles, getting nowhere, stuck on a treadmill
38. Head above water
Meaning: Managing to survive or keep up with responsibilities, but just barely.
In a Sentence: With all these projects, I’m just trying to keep my head above water.
Other Ways to Say: Staying afloat, barely managing, surviving the workload
39. Down to the wire
Meaning: Continuing until the very last moment before a deadline.
In a Sentence: We’ll be working down to the wire to get this finished on time.
Other Ways to Say: Right up to the deadline, last-minute effort, cutting it close
40. Never a dull moment
Meaning: Always something happening; constantly busy or eventful.
In a Sentence: With three kids under five, there’s never a dull moment in our house.
Other Ways to Say: Always something going on, constantly eventful, perpetually active
41. Multitasking
Meaning: Doing several things at the same time.
In a Sentence: I’m multitasking like crazy—cooking dinner while helping with homework and answering work emails.
Other Ways to Say: Juggling multiple tasks, doing several things at once, handling multiple things simultaneously
42. In the fast lane
Meaning: Living or working in a very busy, fast-paced way.
In a Sentence: Ever since her promotion, she’s been living in the fast lane with constant travel and meetings.
Other Ways to Say: Living life at full speed, in the express lane, on the fast track
43. Pushed to the limit
Meaning: Working at maximum capacity; stressed to the breaking point.
In a Sentence: The staff are pushed to the limit during the holiday season.
Other Ways to Say: Stretched to capacity, at breaking point, maxed out
44. Tied up
Meaning: Too busy to be available; occupied with something.
In a Sentence: I’m tied up in meetings all afternoon but can talk tomorrow.
Other Ways to Say: Occupied, busy with something, not available
45. In hot pursuit
Meaning: Chasing after something urgently or with determination.
In a Sentence: We’re in hot pursuit of that contract and working overtime to win the bid.
Other Ways to Say: Actively pursuing, chasing eagerly, going after aggressively
46. Balls in the air
Meaning: Managing multiple tasks or projects at the same time.
In a Sentence: I have so many balls in the air right now that I’m worried I’ll drop one.
Other Ways to Say: Juggling responsibilities, managing multiple things, handling several projects
47. Time crunch
Meaning: A situation where there’s not enough time to complete everything that needs to be done.
In a Sentence: We’re in a real time crunch with the wedding planning and still have so much to do.
Other Ways to Say: Time pressure, deadline stress, short on time
48. Riding the wave
Meaning: Going along with a busy or intense period, often successfully.
In a Sentence: Business is booming right now, and we’re just riding the wave while it lasts.
Other Ways to Say: Going with the flow, keeping pace, rolling with it
49. Mile a minute
Meaning: Moving, talking, or working extremely fast.
In a Sentence: She talks a mile a minute when she’s excited about something.
Other Ways to Say: At lightning speed, incredibly fast, at breakneck pace
50. On a tight leash
Meaning: Being closely monitored or controlled, often due to pressure or high expectations.
In a Sentence: My boss has me on a tight leash this month because of the budget concerns.
Other Ways to Say: Closely watched, under scrutiny, strictly supervised
51. Running on empty
Meaning: Continuing to work despite being exhausted and having no energy left.
In a Sentence: After three late nights in a row, I’m running on empty but still have two more days to go.
Other Ways to Say: Running on fumes, completely drained, out of energy
52. Burning the midnight oil
Meaning: Working late into the night.
In a Sentence: I’ll be burning the midnight oil tonight to finish this proposal.
Other Ways to Say: Working late, staying up all night, pulling a late night
53. In high gear
Meaning: Operating at a high level of activity or intensity.
In a Sentence: The campaign is in high gear now that we’re just weeks from the launch.
Other Ways to Say: At full capacity, in full swing, going strong
54. Can’t keep up
Meaning: Unable to maintain the pace or handle all the demands being made.
In a Sentence: With all these new assignments, I honestly can’t keep up anymore.
Other Ways to Say: Falling behind, can’t maintain the pace, overwhelmed
55. On the hamster wheel
Meaning: Stuck in a repetitive routine of constant busyness that feels pointless.
In a Sentence: I feel like I’m on the hamster wheel—working nonstop but never getting anywhere.
Other Ways to Say: Stuck in the grind, trapped in routine, going through the motions
Quiz: Idioms for Busy Days and Hectic Lives
Test your knowledge of these colorful expressions about hectic schedules and overwhelming workloads!
1. What does “burning the candle at both ends” mean?
A) Lighting candles for decoration
B) Working from early morning until late at night, exhausting yourself
C) Being wasteful with resources
D) Celebrating too much
Answer: B) Working from early morning until late at night, exhausting yourself
2. If someone is “spread too thin,” they are:
A) Losing weight
B) Trying to do too many things at once
C) Being transparent
D) Stretching before exercise
Answer: B) Trying to do too many things at once
3. “Up to my eyeballs” means:
A) Swimming underwater
B) Completely overwhelmed with work or responsibilities
C) Looking at something closely
D) Feeling dizzy
Answer: B) Completely overwhelmed with work or responsibilities
4. What does it mean to be “against the clock”?
A) Disagreeing with time zones
B) Rushing to complete something before a deadline
C) Standing next to a clock
D) Working night shifts
Answer: B) Rushing to complete something before a deadline
5. Someone who is “snowed under” is:
A) Stuck in a snowstorm
B) Enjoying winter sports
C) Overwhelmed with too much work
D) Hiding from responsibilities
Answer: C) Overwhelmed with too much work
6. “Hit the ground running” means to:
A) Trip and fall
B) Start jogging immediately
C) Begin a task with immediate energy and enthusiasm
D) Exercise in the morning
Answer: C) Begin a task with immediate energy and enthusiasm
7. If you have a “full plate,” you:
A) Ate too much dinner
B) Have a lot of work or responsibilities to handle
C) Need to do the dishes
D) Are serving food
Answer: B) Have a lot of work or responsibilities to handle
8. “Crunch time” refers to:
A) Eating crunchy snacks
B) A period when pressure is high and a deadline is approaching
C) Exercise time
D) Autumn season
Answer: B) A period when pressure is high and a deadline is approaching
9. What does “putting out fires” mean?
A) Working as a firefighter
B) Dealing with urgent problems as they arise
C) Turning off candles
D) Preventing forest fires
Answer: B) Dealing with urgent problems as they arise
10. “Running around like a headless chicken” describes someone who is:
A) Farming poultry
B) Acting in a panicked, disorganized way
C) Exercising vigorously
D) Playing a game
Answer: B) Acting in a panicked, disorganized way
11. If you’re “in the thick of it,” you are:
A) Gaining weight
B) Right in the middle of a busy or difficult situation
C) In a forest
D) Confused
Answer: B) Right in the middle of a busy or difficult situation
12. “Burning daylight” means:
A) Using solar power
B) Wasting time when you should be getting things done
C) Staying up late
D) Enjoying sunshine
Answer: B) Wasting time when you should be getting things done
13. Someone with their “nose to the grindstone” is:
A) Injured
B) Working hard and staying focused
C) Smelling something
D) Sharpening tools
Answer: B) Working hard and staying focused
14. “At full tilt” means:
A) Leaning to one side
B) Operating at maximum speed or capacity
C) Playing a game
D) Falling over
Answer: B) Operating at maximum speed or capacity
15. If you’re “caught up in the rat race,” you are:
A) Chasing rodents
B) Stuck in the exhausting routine of competitive work life
C) Running a marathon
D) At the zoo
Answer: B) Stuck in the exhausting routine of competitive work life
16. “Working around the clock” means:
A) Building clocks
B) Working continuously, day and night
C) Repairing timepieces
D) Working in a circular pattern
Answer: B) Working continuously, day and night
17. What does “pedal to the metal” mean?
A) Recycling metal
B) Going as fast as possible with maximum effort
C) Riding a bicycle
D) Working with machinery
Answer: B) Going as fast as possible with maximum effort
18. “Chasing your tail” means:
A) Following someone
B) Being busy but accomplishing very little
C) Playing with pets
D) Running in circles for exercise
Answer: B) Being busy but accomplishing very little
19. If you’re “down to the wire,” you are:
A) Working with electrical cables
B) Continuing until the very last moment before a deadline
C) Feeling depressed
D) Climbing down
Answer: B) Continuing until the very last moment before a deadline
20. “Running on empty” means:
A) Jogging without breakfast
B) Continuing to work despite being exhausted
C) Driving without fuel
D) Running in an empty space
Answer: B) Continuing to work despite being exhausted
21. What does “burning the midnight oil” mean?
A) Using old-fashioned lamps
B) Working late into the night
C) Cooking at night
D) Wasting resources
Answer: B) Working late into the night
22. If someone is “in over their head,” they:
A) Swimming deep water
B) Have taken on more than they can handle
C) Are wearing a hat
D) Are very tall
Answer: B) Have taken on more than they can handle
23. “On the hamster wheel” describes:
A) Playing with pets
B) Being stuck in a repetitive routine of constant busyness
C) Exercise equipment
D) Going to the pet store
Answer: B) Being stuck in a repetitive routine of constant busyness
24. What does “keeping your head above water” mean?
A) Swimming properly
B) Managing to survive or keep up with responsibilities, but just barely
C) Standing in shallow water
D) Avoiding drowning
Answer: B) Managing to survive or keep up with responsibilities, but just barely
25. “Never a dull moment” means:
A) All moments are exciting
B) Always something happening; constantly busy
C) Sharpening tools constantly
D) Never being bored
Answer: B) Always something happening; constantly busy
Whether you’re describing your own chaotic schedule or sympathizing with someone else’s overwhelming workload, these idioms capture the essence of our busy, modern lives. They remind us that we’re not alone in feeling stretched thin, and sometimes just having the right words to describe the madness makes it a little more bearable.
So the next time you’re running around like a headless chicken or burning the candle at both ends, at least you’ll have the perfect phrase to sum it all up!
Tony James is a skilled writer with over 5 years of experience specializing in the “noun” niche. He delves deep into the intricacies of language, exploring the significance and usage of nouns in everyday communication. Tony’s work simplifies complex linguistic concepts, making them accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds.