spreading yourself too thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spreading yourself too thin" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts to convey the idea of being overly busy or taking on too many responsibilities, to the point where one's efforts may be stretched too thin and becoming less effective. For example: "I know you want to be involved in every club and organization, but you're spreading yourself too thin and your grades are starting to suffer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"You can't take every case because sometimes you end up spreading yourself too thin," Mr. Cochran said, adding.

The New York Times

Add those to his films "War Horse" and "The Adventures of Tintin," released within a week of each other in December, and there may be a lesson about spreading yourself too thin.

The New York Times - Arts

"Part of me was always intrigued about the potential commercial opportunities working with big retailers around the world, but at the same time you are nervous about spreading yourself too thin and taking your eye off the domestic market," he explains.

The Guardian

Surrounded by puppets, fiddles, figurines, tchotchkes, sketchbooks, canvases, woodcarvings and a cartoon showing Leonardo Da Vinci sitting at a worktable with a caption that reads "What I mean is, Leonardo, aren't you spreading yourself too thin?" Mr. Mueller happily cogitates, only occasionally sending creations out into the world at large.

The New York Times

Maybe, but there is a difference between spreading yourself too thin and just sitting on the ball.

TechCrunch

By doing this, you are essentially dovetailing your energy, rather than spreading yourself too thin.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But don't spread yourself too thin.

The Guardian

"It's easy to spread yourself too thin and have people not know what you're about.

The New York Times

Remember though, it's better to perfect one or two of these techniques than to try them all at once and spread yourself too thin.

The Guardian

"You don't think there's any danger that you'll spread yourself too thin?" "I bought you a lottery ticket for your birthday.

The New Yorker

So here's some more cautious advice that I wish someone had told me four years ago: Don't spread yourself too thin, but find one or two activities that you truly love and stick with them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When delegating tasks, clearly define responsibilities and expectations. This helps avoid confusion and ensures tasks are completed effectively. If you don't delegate you may end up "spreading yourself too thin".

Common error

Avoid taking on additional commitments simply to appear capable. Accurately assess your available time and resources to prevent "spreading yourself too thin" and compromising the quality of your work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spreading yourself too thin" functions as a descriptive expression, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It describes a state of being overextended or overburdened with tasks and responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively communicates a common experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spreading yourself too thin" is a common and correct phrase used to describe the state of being overextended with responsibilities. As Ludwig AI affirms, it is used across various contexts, from News & Media to more informal settings. To avoid this, prioritize tasks and learn to delegate. Related phrases include "overextending yourself" and "taking on too much". Remember to accurately assess your capacity to prevent overcommitment and maintain high-quality work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stretching yourself too thin

A variation on the original phrase, using 'stretching' instead of 'spreading'.

overextending yourself

This alternative focuses on the action of exceeding one's limits.

taking on too much

This alternative emphasizes the burden of excessive responsibilities.

juggling too many things

This alternative uses a metaphor to describe handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

biting off more than you can chew

This idiom suggests attempting something beyond one's capabilities.

overcommitting yourself

This alternative highlights the act of making too many promises or obligations.

diluting your efforts

This alternative focuses on the reduced effectiveness due to divided attention.

having too many irons in the fire

This idiom describes pursuing multiple opportunities simultaneously.

burning the candle at both ends

This idiom implies excessive work leading to exhaustion.

spreading your resources too thinly

This alternative highlights the allocation of resources across too many activities.

FAQs

How can I use "spreading yourself too thin" in a sentence?

You can use "spreading yourself too thin" to describe someone who is trying to do too many things at once and is not able to focus on any one thing properly. For example, "She's been /s/spreading+herself+too+thin and needs to prioritize her tasks."

What's another way to say "spreading yourself too thin"?

Instead of "spreading yourself too thin", you could say someone is "overextending themselves", "taking on too much", or "overcommitting themselves".

What are the consequences of "spreading yourself too thin"?

The consequences of "spreading yourself too thin" can include decreased productivity, increased stress, burnout, and a lower quality of work. It's essential to manage your workload effectively to avoid these negative outcomes.

How can I avoid "spreading myself too thin"?

To avoid "spreading yourself too thin", prioritize tasks, learn to delegate when possible, set realistic goals, and say no to additional commitments when necessary. Effective time management and self-care are crucial.