What does the idiom "have sb's hands full" mean?

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. have sb's hands full meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "have sb's hands full"

Meaning

The phrase “have someone’s hands full” is an idiomatic expression used in English which essentially means to have a lot of work or activities to do. It implies being overwhelmed or overly busy with tasks.

Etymology

This expression is said to have been in use since the early 1700s. The first recorded use was found in a letter written in 1714 by a British government official to Thomas Harley, who was a member of Parliament. In the letter, the official states, “I am sure you have your hands full with business…” The origin of the phrase is unclear, though it is thought to have derived from the literal meaning of having one’s hands full. This could refer to being physically busy doing something, or in the case of being busy with paperwork, one’s physical hands may become full of documents.

Usage

The phrase ‘have someone’s hands full’ is generally used in an informal context and is usually a comment or statement made when someone is seen as being extremely busy. It’s usually a sympathetic comment to express that one is aware of how much someone has to do.

Example Sentences

  • My boss has his hands full with this project and all the other things he's got going on.
  • We all have our hands full with work and family commitments.
  • I’m sure he’ll get everything done, he always has his hands full.

The meanings of the words in the "have sb's hands full" idiom

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.

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