Phrase guide

spread oneself thin

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To commit oneself to too many projects, so that there is little chance of completing them all satisfactorily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: rasittaa itseään liikaa — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • French: se disperser — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • French: partir dans tous les sens — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • French: s'éparpiller — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • Polish: but see rozmieniać się na drobne — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • Polish: rozmienić się na drobne — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • Polish: łapać sroki za ogon — to commit oneself to too many projects
  • Polish: złapać sroki za ogon — to commit oneself to too many projects