busy with

busy with (something)

1. adjective Spending a lot of one's time focused or working on a particular task, goal, or project. I'm so busy with school right now that I haven't seen my friends in weeks.
2. verb To immerse oneself in a task or project. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "busy" and "with." Ever since my break-up with Ben, I've busied myself with work to keep from crying all day long.
3. verb To engage or occupy someone with a distraction, task, or project. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "busy" and "with." If you busy the baby with a toy, he'll stop crying in no time. My husband is off all week, so I'm busying him with repairs around the house.
See also: busy
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

busy someone with someone or something

to keep someone busy dealing with someone or something. You should busy the children with some activity. We will busy Randy with cleaning up the garage.
See also: busy
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • appropriate for
  • bulletproof
  • as (something) as the next man/woman/person
  • as as the next man
  • as good, well, etc. as the next person
  • as the next person
  • a little
  • arsis
  • preppie
References in classic literature
Already they were busy with returning people; in places even there were shops open, and I saw a drinking fountain running water.
War Of The Worlds
Then I gave public notice by herald and trumpet that I should be busy with affairs of state for a fortnight, but about the end of that time I would take a moment's leisure and blow up Merlin's stone tower by fires from heaven; in the meantime, whoso listened to evil re- ports about me, let him beware.
Thunder-showers had been tolerably frequent of late, and I was not much afraid of a failure; still, I shouldn't have cared for a delay of a day or two; I should have explained that I was busy with affairs of state yet, and the people must wait.
Connecticut Yankee
At the same moment Mercy roused herself and spoke: "Won't you sit down?" she said, softly, still not looking round at him, still busy with her basket of wools.
The New Magdalen
For a day or two after the affront was given, Henry Crawford had endeavoured to do it away by the usual attack of gallantry and compliment, but he had not cared enough about it to persevere against a few repulses; and becoming soon too busy with his play to have time for more than one flirtation, he grew indifferent to the quarrel, or rather thought it a lucky occurrence, as quietly putting an end to what might ere long have raised expectations in more than Mrs.
Mansfield Park
'Where are you going, Gilbert?' said Rose, one evening, shortly after tea, when I had been busy with the farm all day.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
But you're busy with your own stuff, while I'm busy with everyone else's stuff!"
Helping and serving
Janine Hergesell, NEPA's director of meetings, said many they talked with who were not planning on attending were "simply too busy--too busy marketing, too busy with everything because business is picking up."
Attendance down, spirits up at NEPA's annual marketing conference in New Orleans
A spokesman for the National Showcaves Centre for Wales at Dan-yr-Ogof said the Bank Holiday had been very busy with about 1,000 visitors yesterday.
Resorts have a busy time