bite off more than one can chew
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To take on more responsibility than one can manage.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Imported from Wikipedia “English-language idioms” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29), pending review.
Common questions
What does “bite off more than one can chew” mean?
To take on more responsibility than one can manage.
Is “bite off more than one can chew” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.