VOA词汇掌故2025--Sometimes We 'Spread Ourself Too Thin'

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

Today we talk about our busy lives. Many people have family and work responsibilities. We might have religious or community activities. Taking care of our health is also important. And let's not forget about our personal projects, our interests, and our friendships.

With everything on our plate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed², overextended, and overcommitted.

However, if we try to do too much, we may spread ourselves too thin. This expression means we have taken on too much. We are pushed to the limit.

People who are spread too thin, take on too many jobs, projects, or goals. The heavy load requires more energy or attention than they possess.

If we work on many projects simultaneously⁴, or at the same time, it is possible that none will get done well, if they get done at all. And it is possible such multitasking could stress us out.

Being spread too thin can also be described as biting off more than we can chew. When we bite off more than we can chew, we attempt to do more than is possible.

Here is a VOA Learning English English in a Minute video explaining the idiom "to bite off more than you can chew."

Now, let's hear these some of these terms and expressions used in a conversation.

A: So, how are your classes going?

B: Not great. Many of my best students are failing my course. They all missed an important deadline for a project.

A: That's strange. What else do they have going on?

B: A lot! They are all performing in the same play. So, they have had rehearsals⁶ every night for the past month. And many have part-time jobs as well.

A: Sounds like they've spread themselves too thin. They've got too much going on.

B: I think you're right.

A: So, what are you going to do?

B: Well, first I'll extend³ the deadline. And then I'm going to warn them about biting off more than they can chew.

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

overwhelmed - adj. overcome or overpowered by force, number, thought or feeling

overcommitted - adj. to be obligated to something beyond the ability for fulfillment

multitasking - n. the performance of several tasks at one time

stress - v. to subject to physical or psychological⁷ pressure

conversation - n. talking or a talk between two or more people

rehearsal⁵ - n. a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 overwhelmed   

[ overwhelm ]的过去式

参考例句：

• She was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt. 她感到愧疚难当。
• If (one was) overwhelmed by passion, it could lead to serious blunders. 当感情完全淹没理智时，就可能铸成大错。

3 extend   

v.伸开；展开，伸展；扩大；加大

参考例句：

• Can you extend your visit for a few days more?你能把你的访问再延长几天吗？
• The examinations extend over two weeks.考试持续两个星期。

4 simultaneously   

adv.同时发生地，同时进行地

参考例句：

• The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.雷达波几乎可以同时追着多个目标。
• The Windows allow a computer user to execute multiple programs simultaneously.Windows允许计算机用户同时运行多个程序。

5 rehearsal   

n.排练，排演；练习

参考例句：

• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
• You can sharpen your skills with rehearsal.排练可以让技巧更加纯熟。

6 rehearsals   

n.练习( rehearsal的名词复数 )；排练；复述；重复

参考例句：

• The earlier protests had just been dress rehearsals for full-scale revolution. 早期的抗议仅仅是大革命开始前的预演。
• She worked like a demon all through rehearsals. 她每次排演时始终精力过人。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 psychological   

adj.心理的，精神上的

参考例句：

• Work also provides psychological well-being.工作还能使人身心健康。
• The psychological advantage of direct control is impressive.直接控制所收到的心理效果很大。