have one's hands full
have (one's) hands full
To be busy or completely occupied with dealing with something. I have my hands full with all these meetings today, so can I call you back tomorrow? Paula has her hands full with those kids.
See also: full, hand, have
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
have one's hands full (with someone or something)
Fig. to be busy or totally occupied with someone or something. I have my hands full with my three children. You have your hands full with managing the store.
See also: full, hand, have
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
have one's hands full
Be extremely busy, as in With the new baby she really has her hands full. [Second half of 1400s]
See also: full, hand, have
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
have one's hands full, to
To be completely occupied or very busy, to have more than enough to do. This expression dates from the fifteenth century or earlier. It appears in Thomas Malory’s Morte d’Arthur: “Ye shalle have bothe your handes ful of me.” See also plate, to have a lot/enough on one's.
See also: hand, have
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- have (one's) hands full
- have hands full
- have your hands full
- (as) busy as popcorn on a skillet
- popcorn
- not know whether (one) is coming or going
- not know whether one is coming or going
- not know whether one is coming or going and not know if one is ...
- not know whether you are coming or going
- hibernate