Meaning
To take on a responsibility, commitment, or task that is far beyond one’s ability, capacity, or time to handle.
It warns against overcommitting or underestimating the difficulty of a challenge.
Origin
The idiom originated in 19th-century America, likely referring to the habit of cutting off large pieces of chewing tobacco that were too big to comfortably chew.
Examples
I agreed to write three full articles by tomorrow, but I think I bit off more than I can chew.
Taking on two huge client projects at the same time caused him to bite off more than he could chew.
Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew when agreeing to extra shifts.
A: Are you sure you can redesign the entire database alone in one week?
B: Honestly, I might have bitten off more than I can chew.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Bite off more than you can chew' mean?
To take on a responsibility, commitment, or task that is far beyond one’s ability, capacity, or time to handle.
It warns against overcommitting or underestimating the difficulty of a challenge.