Phrasal verb
be snowed under
Meanings
To be extremely busy because you have more work or tasks than you can manage easily.
Definition
To be snowed under means to have too much work or too many tasks to deal with.
If you are snowed under, you have an overwhelming amount to do and you feel very busy. It is often used to explain why you cannot respond quickly or join an activity. It can describe work, study, or personal responsibilities.
Examples
- I’m snowed under at work this week, so I’ll call you on Friday.
- She’s been snowed under with exam revision and barely leaves the library.
- They were snowed under after the event, cleaning up and replying to messages.
- We’re snowed under with last-minute requests, but we’ll send an update soon.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it only for literal snow; in this idiom it usually means being overwhelmed with tasks, not weather.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.