to juggle things

USAGE SUMMARY

"to juggle things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to managing multiple tasks, activities, or commitments at once. For example, "I'm always trying to juggle things so that I can make enough room in my schedule to spend quality time with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"That's where her superhuman ability to juggle things became clear".

The New York Times

"But I think we need to juggle things around before the title will be a possibility".

The Guardian - Sport

The Smithsonian Institution will occasionally close some galleries in its art museums beginning May 1. "We're trying to juggle things to have less impact on the public," said Linda St. Thomas, a spokeswoman.

The New York Times

Note, the debt ceiling is the date after which the US likely cannot borrow more, however, it's not necessarily the date it would default with likely an ability to juggle things for a few days longer.

The Guardian - Business

Hosting one is a pain, apparently, as you have to juggle things like participant and leader PINs, country-specific dial-in numbers, and sending out the invites themselves.

TechCrunch

"I thrive most when I have to juggle things," he told ETOnline.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But before the dealer can do that, he must juggle things to convince you that the car is the best one for you and is a good value.

The New York Times

Recently, it has been suggested that health-related activities add to this burden of work, as people juggle things like scheduling and attending appointments, exercising, planning nutritious meals, learning about treatment options, and monitoring the progression of illnesses or symptoms [ 7, 8].

BMC Public Health

A source told the Mirror: "The initial day or two after the accident it was hard to move things around but now we have had more time we can juggle things, bring some scenes forward and push others back.

Independent

Ultimately she likes to see and continue to work on the artwork physically on paper, but, she says: "I love the computer because at the planning stage it keeps everything fluid - you can juggle things around so easily.

The Guardian - Books

If one server fails or needs more bandwidth, Cassat's software will juggle things around.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to juggle things", ensure the context makes it clear what "things" refers to, such as tasks, responsibilities, or projects. Clarity enhances understanding.

Common error

While "to juggle things" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "to manage multiple priorities" or "to coordinate various tasks" in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to juggle things" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the action of managing multiple tasks, responsibilities, or commitments simultaneously. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, providing a common way to express the act of balancing various elements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to juggle things" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe managing multiple tasks or responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widely acceptable. While common, it may benefit from more formal alternatives like "managing multiple priorities" in professional settings. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. Remember that while "to juggle things" effectively conveys the idea of balancing various activities, being mindful of context and audience is crucial for choosing the most appropriate and impactful language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to keep many balls in the air

A more idiomatic alternative that uses a slightly different metaphor but means the same thing.

to multi-task effectively

Concentrates on the efficiency of doing different tasks simultaneously.

to manage multiple priorities

Focuses on prioritizing tasks rather than simply handling them.

to balance competing demands

Highlights the need for equilibrium when dealing with conflicting requests.

to handle several responsibilities

A more formal and direct alternative, avoiding the metaphorical "juggling".

to coordinate various tasks

Emphasizes the organizational aspect of managing multiple activities.

to deal with several obligations

A more specific phrase that stresses the binding nature of the activities.

to oversee numerous projects

Suitable when referring to a work environment with different assignments.

to accommodate different activities

Focuses on making room for various activities within a schedule or plan.

to cope with many things

A more general phrase referring to dealing with numerous unspecified issues.

FAQs

How can I use "to juggle things" in a sentence?

You can use "to juggle things" to describe managing multiple responsibilities or tasks simultaneously. For example, "It's challenging "to juggle things" as a working parent".

What are some alternatives to "to juggle things"?

Alternatives include "to manage multiple priorities", "to balance competing demands", or "to coordinate various tasks" depending on the context.

Is "to juggle things" too informal for professional writing?

While understandable, "to juggle things" might be perceived as informal in professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "to handle several responsibilities" or "to oversee numerous projects".

What does it mean "to keep many balls in the air"?

The idiom "to keep many balls in the air" is very close to the meaning of the expression "to juggle things" and means that you are dealing with a lot of activities.