bite off more than you can chew
idiom/baɪt ɒf mɔːr ðæn juː kæn tʃuː/
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Bite off more than you can chew means to take on a task or commitment that is too big to handle. The image is of putting more food in your mouth than you can actually chew. It's used when someone overestimates what they can manage.
📖 Meanings
1to take on more than you can handle
"Taking three classes while working full-time? You're biting off more than you can chew." — Taking three classes while working full-time? You're taking on too much.
2to commit to a task beyond your capacity
"He bit off more than he could chew with that huge project." — He took on more than he could handle with that huge project.
🔄 Related phrases
💬 Common patterns
bite off more than you can chewdon't bite off more than...bit off more than he could chew
❓ How do you say someone took on a task too big for them?