To bite off more than one can chew means to take on more than one can deal with; to attempt to do something that one is not capable of accomplishing, or not to take too much work or responsibility. (The idiom originated in America during the late nineteenth century when a man offered another man a bite of his plug of chewing tobacco and 'don't bite off more than you can chew' would remind the receiver not to be greedy.
Daily, it seems I hear someone saying they are too busy to follow up or return a call or answer a text. (18 comments)