How do you use "Bite off more than you can chew" in a sentence?

I think I've bitten off more than I can chew with this project. Don't bite off more than you can chew. She's bitten off more than she can chew taking three classes.

Bite off more than you can chew

Q: What does "Bite off more than you can chew" mean?

To take on more than you can handle To commit to something beyond your capability—too much work, too big a project, too difficult a task. Like literally putting too much food in your mouth.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

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Meaning: To take on more than you can handle

承担超出自己能力的事

Abarcar más de lo que se puede

自分の能力以上のことを引き受ける

감당할 수 없는 일을 떠맡다

To commit to something beyond your capability—too much work, too big a project, too difficult a task. Like literally putting too much food in your mouth.

承诺了超出自己能力范围的事——太多的工作、太大的项目、太难的任务。就像字面意思一样，嘴里塞了太多食物。

Comprometerse con algo que supera tu capacidad: demasiado trabajo, un proyecto demasiado grande o una tarea demasiado difícil. Como intentar meter demasiada comida en la boca.

自分の能力を超えることを引き受けること——多すぎる仕事、大きすぎるプロジェクト、難しすぎるタスク。文字通り口に入れすぎた食べ物のようなもの。

자신의 능력을 넘어서는 일을 맡는 것—너무 많은 업무, 너무 큰 프로젝트, 너무 어려운 과제. 말 그대로 입에 너무 많은 음식을 넣는 것과 같다.

Examples

I think I've bitten off more than I can chew with this project.
我觉得这个项目我承担不了了
Creo que he abarcado más de lo que puedo con este proyecto
このプロジェクトは自分には荷が重すぎたと思う
이 프로젝트는 나한테 너무 벅찬 것 같아.
Don't bite off more than you can chew.
别贪多嚼不烂
No abarques más de lo que puedas
自分の手に負えないことを引き受けるな
감당 못 할 일은 맡지 마.
She's bitten off more than she can chew taking three classes.
她选了三门课，实在是力不从心
Se ha metido en un lío al coger tres asignaturas
3つの授業を取るなんて、彼女は無理をしすぎだ
수업을 세 개나 듣다니, 그녀는 무리하고 있어.

Pronunciation

/baɪt ɒf mɔː ðən juː kən tʃuː/

Usage Guide

Context: overcommitment, warnings, difficulty

Tone: cautionary, sympathetic

✓ Do Say

Bitten off more than I can chew
贪多嚼不烂
He abarcado más de lo que puedo
自分には荷が重すぎた
감당할 수 없는 걸 떠맡았어
Don't bite off more than you can chew
别承担超出能力的事
No abarques más de lo que puedas
無理をするな
무리하지 마

✗ Don't Say

Common warning about overcommitting
关于过度承诺的常见忠告
Advertencia habitual contra comprometerse en exceso
過剰な引き受けに対するよくある忠告
과도한 약속에 대한 흔한 경고

Common Mistakes

None—very clear metaphor

Origin & History

American expression from the 19th century, possibly connected to chewing tobacco—taking too big a bite would be impossible to chew comfortably. The metaphor extends to any overcommitment.

Etymology: Possibly from tobacco chewing, 19th century America

First recorded: 19th century American

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common advice; Project management

Regional notes: American origin but now universal.

Variations

Bite off more than you can chewBitten off more than I can chew