Sometimes We 'Spread Ourself Too Thin'
2025-01-26
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2Today we talk about our busy lives.
3Many people have family and work responsibilities.
4We might have religious or community activities.
5Taking care of our health is also important.
6And let's not forget about our personal projects, our interests, and our friendships.
7With everything on our plate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overcommitted.
8However, if we try to do too much, we may spread ourselves too thin.
9This expression means we have taken on too much. We are pushed to the limit.
10People who are spread too thin, take on too many jobs, projects, or goals.
11The heavy load requires more energy or attention than they possess.
12If we work on many projects simultaneously, or at the same time, it is possible that none will get done well, if they get done at all.
13And it is possible such multitasking could stress us out.
14Being spread too thin can also be described as biting off more than we can chew.
15When we bite off more than we can chew, we attempt to do more than is possible.
16Now, let's hear these some of these terms and expressions used in a conversation.
17A: So, how are your classes going?
18B: Not great. Many of my best students are failing my course.
19They all missed an important deadline for a project.
20A: That's strange. What else do they have going on?
21B: A lot! They are all performing in the same play.
22So, they have had rehearsals every night for the past month.
23And many have part-time jobs as well.
24A: Sounds like they've spread themselves too thin.
25They've got too much going on.
26B: I think you're right.
27A: So, what are you going to do?
28B: Well, first I'll extend the deadline.
29And then I'm going to warn them about biting off more than they can chew.
30And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
31Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2Today 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. 3With everything on our plate, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overcommitted. 4However, 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. 5People who are spread too thin, take on too many jobs, projects, or goals. The heavy load requires more energy or attention than they possess. 6If we work on many projects simultaneously, 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. 7Being 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. 8Here is a VOA Learning English English in a Minute video explaining the idiom "to bite off more than you can chew." 9Now, let's hear these some of these terms and expressions used in a conversation. 10A: So, how are your classes going? 11B: Not great. Many of my best students are failing my course. They all missed an important deadline for a project. 12A: That's strange. What else do they have going on? 13B: A lot! They are all performing in the same play. So, they have had rehearsals every night for the past month. And many have part-time jobs as well. 14A: Sounds like they've spread themselves too thin. They've got too much going on. 15B: I think you're right. 16A: So, what are you going to do? 17B: Well, first I'll extend the deadline. And then I'm going to warn them about biting off more than they can chew. 18And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. 19Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo. 20Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 21____________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23overwhelmed - adj. overcome or overpowered by force, number, thought or feeling 24overcommitted - adj. to be obligated to something beyond the ability for fulfillment 25multitasking - n. the performance of several tasks at one time 26stress - v. to subject to physical or psychological pressure 27conversation - n. talking or a talk between two or more people 28rehearsal - n. a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance