buried in work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "buried in work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to describe someone who has a lot of work or who is overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do. For example, "John was so buried in work that he didn't even have time for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There were just two other passengers that morning, noses buried in work.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps – some think – she is the means by which he could come across as a sympathetic human being struggling with an impossible task, rather than an obsessive technocrat buried in work.

Independent

According to Johnson, his old department has since been reduced to "three people buried in work" and he blames the Obama administration for bowing to political expediency instead of following through on his research.

The Guardian

Another theory, the most mundane, is that he is simply buried in work in the weeks ahead of the upcoming 18th Party Congress, China's political bar mitzvah, in which Xi will be formally designated as the supreme ruler for the next ten years.

The New Yorker

Buried in work, hard-pressed to look beyond the next iteration, science trainees typically have no idea what the future holds.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I kind of got buried in it, working away, working away.

The New York Times - Sports

"I had my head buried in medical work," he said.

The New York Times

Buried in the work of the great framer of capitalism as a vast impersonal system, there is a modern humanist.

The New Yorker

Clark doesn't open up her life to make truth easier to find; she depends on artifice to wake us up to the truth buried in her work.

The New Yorker

But buried in the work that he's made for labels like Hospital Productions, Opal Tapes, and Repitch (which he co-owns), is a desire for something grander, peaceful, beautiful even a slight glimmer of steely melody buried somewhere in the static.

Vice

Claire is so careerist, unfeeling, and apparently 'unmaternal' that she clacks her heels around barking orders in bangs and a white pantsuit, and when her two young nephews arrive on the scene, she's so buried in her work mobile that she shoos them away.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "buried in work" when you want to emphasize that someone is extremely busy and possibly overwhelmed by their workload. It's particularly effective when highlighting the impact of this busyness on their personal life or well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "buried in work" to describe a generally busy person. The phrase suggests a significant degree of overwhelm and potential stress. If someone is simply managing a full workload without feeling overwhelmed, consider alternatives like "engaged in work" or "busy with tasks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "buried in work" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adjective to describe a state of being extremely occupied with work. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage through numerous examples, both exact matches and similar phrases, across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "buried in work" is a correct and usable English expression that describes a state of being extremely busy and overwhelmed with tasks. Ludwig AI shows that the expression, while not extremely common, appears in various contexts. Primarily found in news and media, it emphasizes the intensity of one's involvement in work and potential impact on other aspects of life. When using "buried in work", consider the degree of overwhelm you wish to convey, and avoid overstating a situation with alternatives like ""immersed in work"" or "engaged in work" if the situation is less critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Immersed in work

Emphasizes deep involvement and absorption in work, suggesting a more positive connotation than "buried".

Engrossed in work

Highlights being completely occupied and focused on work, similar to "immersed" but slightly more intense.

Swamped with work

Indicates being overwhelmed by a large amount of work, conveying a sense of being burdened.

Overwhelmed with work

Similar to "swamped", but emphasizes the feeling of being unable to cope with the amount of work.

Consumed by work

Suggests that work is taking up a significant amount of time and energy, potentially to a detrimental extent.

Up to one's neck in work

An idiomatic expression indicating being deeply involved in a difficult or overwhelming situation related to work.

Lost in work

Highlights a state of being completely absorbed and unaware of surroundings due to focus on work.

Deep in one's work

Similar to "lost in work", but suggests a more intentional and focused state.

Snowed under with work

Indicates being overwhelmed by a large quantity of work, similar to "swamped" but with a sense of being buried.

Preoccupied with work

Highlights that one's thoughts and attention are mainly focused on work, potentially to the exclusion of other things.

FAQs

What does "buried in work" mean?

The phrase "buried in work" means to be extremely busy or overwhelmed with a large amount of work. It suggests that someone is deeply involved in their tasks, possibly to the point of feeling stressed or unable to focus on other aspects of their life.

How can I use "buried in work" in a sentence?

You can use "buried in work" to describe someone who is very busy. For example, "She's been so "immersed in work" lately that she hasn't had time to relax."

What are some alternatives to "buried in work"?

Alternatives to "buried in work" include "swamped with work", "overwhelmed with work", or "engrossed in work". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of intensity you want to convey.

Is it better to say "buried in work" or "buried at work"?

"Buried in work" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Buried at work" could imply a literal situation or a different, less common metaphorical meaning. Therefore, "buried in work" is generally preferred.