spread too thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spread too thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a common idiom that means to be having too many responsibilities, commitments, or tasks that are taking away from one's ability to complete them all. Example sentence: "I've been feeling overwhelmed lately; I think I'm spread too thin with all the extra projects I've taken on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thus, "Her Way" is sometimes spread too thin.

The New York Times - Books

Without Rodgers-Cromartie, the Cardinals' defense will be spread too thin to stop him.

The New York Times

"The risk is that he's spread too thin," Mr. Rather said.

The New York Times

But with the level of competition in each discipline rising, Jacobellis was spread too thin.

The New York Times - Sports

Was he spread too thin, cheating on his other shows in favor of his new creation?

The New York Times - Magazine

Comments are closed as our team of moderators can't be spread too thin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those difficulties have stirred talk among many in the opera world that Mr. Domingo may be spread too thin.

The New York Times - Arts

The huge surge in population means that services are spread too thin and are constantly breaking down.

The New Yorker

Are the breakdowns the outgrowth of a meat-grinder industry, or evidence of a horse population spread too thin?

The New York Times - Sports

But some senators think that many of the panels are already too large and that lawmakers are spread too thin.

The New York Times

State and county officials said their maintenance crews were simply spread too thin to address the vines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "spread too thin", ensure the context clearly indicates the entity (person, team, resources) that is overextended. Provide specific examples to illustrate the consequences of this overextension.

Common error

Don't use "spread too thin" without specifying what is being spread thin. For example, instead of saying "The project failed because we were spread too thin", specify "The project failed because our team's resources were spread too thin across multiple initiatives".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread too thin" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject that is overextended or has its resources stretched beyond a sustainable level. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spread too thin" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe a state of overextension, whether applied to individuals, teams, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts. The analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility in conveying concerns about resource allocation and workload management. To ensure effective communication, it's best practice to clearly specify what entity is "spread too thin" and the resulting consequences. Alternatives include "overextended" and "overburdened". By following these guidelines, writers can effectively use "spread too thin" to articulate challenges and advocate for better resource management.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overextended

Implies pushing beyond one's limits or capabilities.

stretched to the limit

Highlights the idea of reaching a point where no further strain is possible.

overburdened

Focuses on the heavy load or responsibility being carried.

juggling too many balls

A metaphor for attempting to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, often leading to dropping some.

thinly stretched

Emphasizes the lack of depth or resources due to being spread across multiple areas.

spread thinly

Highlights the idea of distribution across multiple areas, resulting in insufficient resources for each.

treading water

Suggests struggling to stay afloat without making significant progress due to being occupied with too much.

pulled in too many directions

Illustrates the conflict and strain of having competing demands.

having too much on one's plate

An idiom indicating an overwhelming amount of responsibilities or tasks.

at full stretch

Indicates being used to the maximum extent.

FAQs

How can I tell if I'm "spread too thin"?

Signs include feeling constantly overwhelmed, missing deadlines, experiencing reduced quality of work, and neglecting personal well-being. If you recognize these symptoms, it's time to reassess your commitments.

What are some strategies to avoid being "spread too thin"?

Prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, learn to say no to new commitments, and schedule time for rest and self-care. Effective time management and boundary setting are crucial.

What are the consequences of being "spread too thin"?

Being "spread too thin" can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, increased stress levels, and negative impacts on both personal and professional relationships. It can also result in errors and oversights in your work.

What can I say instead of "spread too thin"?

You can use alternatives like "overextended", "overburdened", or "stretched to the limit" depending on the context.