🗓️ Idiom: Stretched Too Thin (adjective)
💬 Meaning
- Having too many tasks or responsibilities to manage well.
- Lacking time or energy because of being overworked.
🧠 Example Sentences
- Sarah feels stretched too thin between family and work commitments.
- Rob is stretched too thin after taking on so many weekend projects.
- I don’t want to be stretched too thin by agreeing to every request. I won’t be able to see my family enough.
🏛️ Origin
The phrase comes from the idea of stretching something, like a material, beyond its limit. When something is stretched too thin, it becomes weak or ineffective. In the same way, a person who takes on too many tasks loses focus and strength.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
After accepting three new clients, Maria started to feel __________.
Answer
stretched too thin
2. Multiple choice:
What does “stretched too thin” mean?
a) Having extra time for hobbies
b) Trying to handle too many things at once
c) Feeling relaxed and well-rested
Answer
b) Trying to handle too many things at once
3. Change the sentence using “stretched too thin”:
“I have so many meetings this week that I can’t concentrate on any one project.”
Answer
I’m stretched too thin this week to focus on one project.
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
