Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to have one's hands full

to have one's hands full

23 3.9
To be very busy with many tasks
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : estar muy ocupado
  • After taking on two new projects at work, I realized I would have my hands full for the next few weeks.
  • going to have your hands full
  • Sounds like you have your hands full
  • Looks like you have your hands full

Examples

  • You look like you have your hands full already, and I'm sure the house is plenty messy.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • Sounds like you have your hands full.

    Blog text (13)

  • - I just think maybe, I have my hands full.

    Certain Women (2016)

  • You could see I had my hands full.

    Twist (2021)

  • Because I really have my hands full here.

    Orphan: First Kill (2022)

  • I think he has his hands full.

    Donner Pass (2012)

  • We may have our hands full.

    Turbulence (1997)

  • I have my hands full.

    The Great Gatsby (2013)

  • But it looks like you have your hands full.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • I already have my hands full.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

busy
vsto have one's hands full
∞ 1.0

Full of activity with many things to do

implies many responsibilities and tasks rather than simple activity level
to juggle
vsto have one's hands full
27 3.8

To manage several tasks at the same time, like work and family

focuses on being occupied by multiple responsibilities rather than just managing them
to multitask
vsto have one's hands full
15 3.7

To do two or more things at the same time

describes many responsibilities occupying someone rather than simultaneous task action
swamped with work
vsto have one's hands full
  • Informal
1 4.4

You have too much work and not enough time

focuses on juggling many responsibilities rather than only heavy workload
up to one's ears
vsto have one's hands full
  • Informal
1 6.9

Very busy with work or tasks and feeling overwhelmed

means having many responsibilities to manage rather than only deep involvement
busy as a bee
vsto have one's hands full
  • Informal
1 3.4

Working very hard all the time

is about being occupied with multiple duties rather than cheerful hardworking image
rushed off one's feet
vsto have one's hands full
  • Informal
1 7.9

Very busy with too many things to do

describes being occupied with multiple duties rather than sudden overload
to wear too many hats
vsto have one's hands full
  • Informal
1 6.3

To have more jobs and duties than you can handle

emphasizes heavy ongoing duties rather than role overload specifically
overbusy
vsto have one's hands full
6.1

So busy with many tasks that you cannot rest or take breaks

implies many responsibilities rather than a general excess of tasks
occupied
vsto have one's hands full
1.8

Busy doing something and not free to do other things

suggests many responsibilities and busyness rather than mere current engagement

Antonyms

free time
117 1.0

A time when you are not working and can do things you enjoy

idle
57 2.8

Not working or being used

How Busy

swamped with work
  • Informal
1 4.4
to have one's hands full
  • Informal
23 3.9

Surface Forms

have one's hands full infinitive
had one's hands full past
had one's hands full past participle
having one's hands full present participle
has one's hands full third person singular

Morphology

have + one's + hands + full

The literal meanings of 'hands' (parts of the body used for work) and 'full' (completely filled) combine to suggest that someone’s hands are occupied, so the metaphorical extension to being busy is fairly accessible. However, the expression relies on a figurative mapping (physical occupation → responsibilities) that may not be fully predictable for an average B1 learner without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Have one's hands full comes from the simple picture of someone holding so many things that their hands are full and they cannot take or do anything else, and that's why it now means 'very busy' or 'having a lot to deal with'.