to bite off more than you can chew meaning?

Question

What's the meaning of "to bite off more than you can chew" idiom? Please give me some examples!

Answer 1

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Biting off more than you can chew can cause a great deal of stress.
 

Answer 2

Idiom Usage:

In the imperative:

"Don't bite off more than you can chew!"

 

Answer 3

Idiom Scenario 2:

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Bernie has been called into his professor's office again.  It seems that Bernie failed the professor's course this semester.  Bernie had needed to get an 88% on his final exam to pass.  Bernie only achieved a 75% on his final exam.  Bernie and his professor are talking ...
Professor:  "Hello Bernie.  I'm sorry that I have to see you again."
Bernie:       "I'm sorry, professor.  I tried as hard as I could."
Professor:  "What seems to be the problem?"
Bernie:       "Well, sir, I decided to take a full course load and I have a part-time job.  I also play hockey and am on the debate team."
Professor:  "Do you think that you may have bitten off more than you can chew?"
Bernie:       "Maybe.  I will see what I can do to adjust my workload."
 
Do you think that Bernie has bitten off more than he can chew?

Answer 4

Idiom Scenario 1:

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Richard is sitting at his desk in his home office one Monday morning.  He is wondering to himself how he became so busy since he retired.  Richard is trying to make his schedule for the coming week.  Richard volunteers for three different charities.  He also edits a writing publication and Richard has taken on the roll of Chief Returning Officer for the upcoming federal election.  This job requires him to work twelve hours a day every day.  Richard has taken on a lot of responsibilities ...

Do you think Richard has bitten off more than he can chew?

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Answer 5

Idiom Definition:

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"to bite off more than you can chew"

to attempt to do more than you are capable of doing
to accept more responsibility than you can handle
 

Synonyms:
exceed, overdo, overreach, overextend, strain, stretch
 
 

To literally ... bite off more than you can chew - - - - -