spread thin

spread (oneself) thin

To engage in too many tasks or responsibilities to do all of them properly; to overextend oneself. I'm sorry, but I can't take on another tutoring job this semester—I've already spread myself thin.
See also: spread, thin
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spread (oneself) thin

To work on too many projects: overextend oneself.
See also: spread, thin
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • spread (oneself) thin
  • kill (oneself) (doing something)
  • kill yourself doing something
  • for (one's) (own) sake
  • for sake
  • put (oneself) on the line
  • put yourself on the line
  • wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
  • wash hands of
  • wash one's hands of
References in periodicals archive
"Dapat nag-moblize sila on that person, spread thin ang resources nila," said Heydarian.
Hit Duterte campaign strategy backfired on Otso Diretso - political analyst
At press time, we were told by a BendixKing spokesperson that its communication team is spread thin and finding the right spokespeople to answer our product questions was posing a challenge.
WHERE ARE THE BENDIXKING PRODUCTS?
figure By MADAME CONNOISSEUSE I recently went on a tour of downtown Nairobi hosted by former street children, and part of the experience was to have lunch at a kibanda on Moi Avenue.The last time I was at a kibanda was in Lamu, when I was spread thin on cash after overstaying my visit.
EATING OUT: Everything from soup to nuts
"As the number of breweries increase in the U.S., shelf space is diminished and distributors' portfolios are spread thin. Competition within the industry is at its highest point in history.
Bevv - Direct-to-Consumer Beer Marketplace and E-commerce Solution for Breweries
When winter storms happen, first-responder crews and tow-trucks will be spread thin as they deal with others.
Survival tips for winter hazards
But sources have revealed the ERU is spread thin due to other commitments and can only send one patrol car.
ARMED GARDAI SENT TO GANG FEUD TOWN; ERU patrol Drogheda after threats
Fire agencies were spread thin by the demand, and after years of drought, the conditions were especially dangerous.
California Is On Fire, And It Won't Be The Last Time
Resources are spread thin across the nation's citizens, and with the government struggling to keep the nation's economy adrift, poverty figures are soaring at an alarming rate.
Open Hands Tech draws innovation to curb poverty in Nigeria
Patience may spread thin, but we remain confident in their ability to overcome current setbacks.
Going it alone
This has meant two things: one, the talent is spread thin, leading to one "meh" release after another.
The web show is on for journalists like me
But I was not wanting more work, I already felt spread thin. Being a good mother also has a different meaning to each of us.
Kardashians take feud public from show to Twitter
But I wasn't wanting MORE work, I already felt spread thin.
Kourtney and Kim Kardashian STILL feuding over shoot with pair trading insults on Twitter as KUWTK airs; Kourtney took a dig at Kim as she declared her number one priority is "being a mother"
Shortly before her face-to-face with Avery, Renee hits her head during her spin cycle gym class and the sickening knock induces the applicant to see herself as magazine spread thin and beautiful.
ALSO SHOWING
The party voter, the guy drawn to Imran's basic message, is spread thin and wide across many constituencies.
The confusion ahead