Cohesive Devices - Exercise

Here are some contemporary idioms and phrases to say that you are busy.

Swamped

I'm swamped right now.

I can't take on any more projects this week; I'm already swamped with deadlines and meetings.

I can't go out tonight, I'm swamped with Netflix and snacks.

I'm so swamped with work this week, I can't even think straight.

The restaurant was swamped with customers on Valentine's Day.

I'm swamped with laundry, dishes, and cleaning. I don't know where to start!

My inbox is swamped with emails. I'm never going to get through them all.

My kids are so swamped with extracurricular activities, they never have any free time.

The new video game is so good, I've been swamped playing it all weekend.

I'm swamped with wedding planning. There's so much to do!

I'm swamped with my new job. I'm still learning the ropes.

My car is in the shop, so I'm swamped trying to get around on public transportation.

I'm swamped with debt. I don't know how I'm going to get out of this hole.

I'm swamped with stress. I need to find a way to relax.

I'm so swamped with work, I can't even find time to watch the new season of my favorite show.

A lot on one’s plate

I'm feeling really overwhelmed with everything I have on my plate right now. I've got a big work project due next week, I'm helping my friend move, and I'm trying to plan a birthday party for my kid. I don't know how I'm going to do it all!

I know that you've got a lot on your plate, but you're strong and capable. You'll get through this.

I'm so sorry to hear about your breakup. I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but I'm here for you if you need anything.

My friend is a single mom with a full-time job and two young kids. She has a lot on her plate, but she always makes time for her friends and family.

I'm trying to start my own business, but it's been a lot of work. I have a lot on my plate, but I'm passionate about it and I'm determined to succeed.

 

Slammed

I'm so slammed at work this week, I'm barely getting any sleep.

The restaurant was slammed last night, we had to turn people away.

I'm slammed with exams and assignments, I'm not sure how I'm going to get everything done.

My social calendar is slammed this month, I'm booked every weekend.

I'm slammed with debt, I'm trying to figure out how to get my finances back on track.

Tied up

I'm tied up at the moment, but I'll call you back in a bit.

I'm tied up with work, but I'll try to meet you for lunch later.

I'm tied up with laundry, but I'll join you for dinner later.

I'm tied up at the moment, but if you could leave a message, I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

I'm tied up at the moment, but I'll see if I can make it to the party later.

I can't meet for lunch today; I'm tied up with back-to-back meetings until 3 PM.

I'd love to help, but I'm tied up with a project deadline this week.

I can't talk right now; I'm tied up in a conference call.

She's been tied up with a new job, so she hasn't had much free time lately.

Let's schedule our meeting for tomorrow; I'm tied up with some urgent tasks today.

I can't take on any more responsibilities at the moment; I'm already tied up with several projects.

I'd love to volunteer, but I'm tied up with my kids' soccer practice every Saturday morning.

Please excuse my late response; I've been tied up with a family emergency.

In the middle of something

I'm in the middle of something right now. Can I call you back?

I'm kind of in the middle of something John.

Hang on Phil, I'm in the middle of something.

Close the door, I'm in the middle of something, OK?

We were in the middle of something.

Listen, I'm in the middle of something.

Can't you see we are in the middle of something?

Can't you see that I'm in the middle of something? I'm talking on the phone!

Can't you see that I'm in the middle of something? I'm eating my lunch!

Can't you see that I'm in the middle of something? I'm watching TV!

Can't you see that I'm in the middle of something? I'm playing video games!

Excuse me, but I'm in the middle of something.  (More polite way)


You can replace 'something' with some activity as well.


I'm in the middle of cooking dinner, can I call you back later?

I'm in the middle of a meeting, can I take your message?

I'm in the middle of reading a book, can you please be quiet?

I'm in the middle of writing a report, can I help you with something else?

I'm in the middle of watching a movie, can you pause it for a minute?

I'm in the middle of taking a shower, can you come back later?

I'm in the middle of changing my baby's diaper, can you please wait?

I'm in the middle of getting dressed, can you give me a minute?

I'm in the middle of doing my laundry, can you please fold the clothes?

I'm in the middle of cleaning the house, can you please take out the trash?

I'm in the middle of working on a puzzle, can you please move?

I'm in the middle of a conversation, can you wait until I'm finished?

Be snowed under

I'm snowed under with work this week. I'm not sure how I'm going to get it all done.

The restaurant was snowed under on Valentine's Day. The staff was working non-stop.

My daughter is snowed under with extracurricular activities. She barely has any free time.

I'm snowed under with emails. I can't keep up with them all.

My friend is snowed under with debt. She's trying to figure out how to get her finances back on track.

 

Some other options are:

I'm stuck in the middle of this.
I'm right in the thick of it.
I'm caught up in this right now.
I'm knee-deep in work.
I'm wrapped up in something important.
I'm on a roll with this.
I'm grinding away at this task.
I'm up to my ears in work.
I'm hip-deep in this right now.
I'm elbow-deep in this project.
I'm knee-deep in the weeds.
I'm in the zone right now.
I'm occupied with something.
I'm deep into this task.
I'm buried in tasks.
I'm in the midst of a project.
I'm in the middle of a time-sensitive task.
I'm juggling a million things.
I've got my hands full.
I'm up to my eyeballs.
I'm tied up at the moment.
I'm as busy as a bee/beaver.
I'm burning the midnight oil.
I'm in the midst of a whirlwind.
I'm running around like a headless chicken.
I'm on a tight schedule.
I'm caught up in a whirlwind of activity.
I'm buried under a mountain of work.
I'm chasing my tail.
I'm in the middle of a deadline crunch.
I'm putting out fires.
I'm on a wild goose chase.
I am overwhelmed.

Slang and informal variations:

I'm in the middle of a grind.
I'm knee-deep in this hustle.
I'm deep into this gig.
I'm in the thick of this thing.
I'm stuck in this jam.
I'm knee-deep in this mess.
I'm in the heat of the moment.
I'm in the thick of it, can't chat now.
I'm knee-deep in my workflow.