The phrase "a hive of activity" is believed to have originated in the early 19th century and is a reference to the frenzied activity of bees in a beehive. It is used to describe a place or situation where there is a lot of activity, energy, and movement and can be used to describe a busy workplace, a bustling city, or any situation where there is a lot of action and movement.

What is the origin of the idiom "a hive of activity" and when to use it?

a (hive|beehive) of (activity|industry)

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The phrase "run off one's feet" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. This idiomatic phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely busy and has a lot of tasks to complete.

What is the origin of the idiom "run off one's feet" and when to use it?

to [be|get] (run|rushed) off {one's} feet

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The phrase "have something on one's plate" is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century and is a reference to the idea of a plate being a metaphorical representation of one's workload or responsibilities. It is used to describe a situation where someone has a lot of tasks, responsibilities, or problems to deal with.

What is the origin of the idiom "have something on one's plate" and when to use it?

to [have] (a lot|too much) on {one's} plate

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The idiom "work one's guts out" is a vivid and informal expression that originated in the early 20th century. The phrase refers to working extremely hard, to the point of exhaustion, and suggests that one has put all their physical and emotional energy into the task. This phrase is an informal expression that is often used in casual conversation. It can be used to describe any intense or demanding work situation, from manual labor to mental exertion.

What is the origin of the idiom "work one's guts out" and when to use it?

to [work|slog|sweat] {one's} guts out

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The idiom "busy as a bee" dates back to the late 14th century, most famously appearing in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. It originates from the ancient observation of honeybees, which appear to be in constant, tireless motion while foraging and maintaining their hives. In modern English, it is used to describe someone who is exceptionally industrious, productive, or multitasking. Use this phrase when you want to highlight a person's hardworking nature or their ability to stay active and focused on various tasks.

What is the origin of the idiom "busy as a bee" and when to use it?

(as|) busy as a bee

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The phrase "work like a horse" is believed to have originated in the 17th century, and it is a reference to the hard work and endurance of horses, which were commonly used as draft animals during that time. It is used to describe someone who works very hard, often for long hours and with great dedication. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts.

What is the origin of the idiom "work like a horse" and when to use it?

to [work] like a (horse|dog|Trojan)

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The phrase "burn the candle at both ends" is believed to have originated in the 18th century, and it is a reference to the practice of burning a candle at both ends to make it burn faster and brighter. It is used to describe someone who is working very hard or engaging in activities that require a lot of energy and effort, often to the point of exhaustion or burnout.

What is the origin of the idiom "burn the candle at both ends" and when to use it?

to [burn] the [candle] at both ends

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The phrase "busy as a beaver" is believed to have originated in the 18th century, and it is a reference to the industrious and hardworking nature of beavers, which are known for their ability to build dams and lodges. It is used to describe someone who is very busy and active, working hard to complete tasks and achieve goals. It is often used to convey a sense of admiration or respect for someone's work ethic.

What is the origin of the idiom "busy as a beaver" and when to use it?

(as|) busy as a beaver

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The phrase "have one's hands full" is believed to have originated in the 16th century, and it is a reference to the idea of being so busy or preoccupied that one has no free hands. The idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is very busy or has a lot of responsibilities to attend to. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts.

What is the origin of the idiom "have one's hands full" and when to use it?

to [have] {one's} hands full

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The phrase "in high gear" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, and it is a reference to the highest gear in a manual transmission vehicle, which allows for the fastest and most efficient speed. This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is operating at their highest level of productivity or efficiency.

What is the origin of the idiom "in high gear" and when to use it?

(in|into) high gear

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The idiom "not have a minute to call one's own" is believed to have originated in the late 19th century. This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely busy or has a lot of responsibilities, leaving them with no free time to relax or pursue their own interests.

What is the origin of the idiom "not have a minute to call one's own" and when to use it?

to {not} [have] a minute to call {one's} own

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The phrase "on the go" is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, and it is a reference to the idea of being in constant motion or activity. It used to describe a situation where someone is very busy and active, often moving from one place or task to another.

What is the origin of the idiom "on the go" and when to use it?

on the go

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to [juggle] frogs

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The phrase "spread oneself too thin" is believed to have originated in the early 20th century. is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to do too many things at once, leading to a decrease in the quality of their work or their ability to fulfill their responsibilities.This idiom

What is the origin of the idiom "spread oneself too thin" and when to use it?

to [spread] {oneself} too thin

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The idiom "pressed for time" is believed to have originated in the 19th century, and it refers to a situation where someone is under pressure to complete a task or meet a deadline and does not have enough time to do so. It is used to describe a situation where someone is in a hurry or has a limited amount of time to complete a task. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the origin of the idiom "pressed for time" and when to use it?

pressed for time

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The idiom "the heat is on" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It likely comes from the idea of increased pressure or intensity when things become heated, just like in a situation where temperature rises. This idiom is used to indicate that a situation has become tense, critical, or intense.

the heat [is] on

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to [buzz] like a beehive

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to [run] on empty

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to [be] (stretched|spread) thin

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to [keep] all the plates spinning

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Discover how English idioms like "juggle frogs" and "pressed for time" relate to being busy and active in English.

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Busy & Active

English Idioms for "Busy & Active"