spred jɔːrˈself θɪn
Work
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- Spreading butter or material very thinly
What does "spread yourself thin" mean?
- To try to do too many things at once
- To overcommit and become ineffective
Examples
- Don't spread yourself too thin with all these projects.
- She's spreading herself thin between work and volunteering.
- You're spreading yourself too thin—focus on fewer things.
Origin
From spreading a substance (butter, paint) so thin it becomes ineffective. Applied to people since the 1900s.
How to use it
Always used as warning or criticism. Common advice in work-life balance discussions.
Similar expressions
overcommit
overextend
take on too much
Opposites
focus
prioritize
concentrate efforts
Related idioms
- hit the nail on the head
To describe exactly what is true or important
- call it a day
To stop working for the day
- have one's hands full
To be very busy with something
- learn the ropes
To learn the basics of a job or activity
- it's not rocket science
It's not difficult to understand or do
- get your act together
To organize yourself and start behaving more responsibly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "spread yourself thin" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.