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1-
a hive of activity
2-
to be run off one's feet
3-
to have a lot on one's plate
4-
to work one's guts out
5-
(as) busy as a bee
6-
to work like a horse
7-
to burn the candle at both ends
8-
(as) busy as a beaver
9-
to have one's hands full
10-
in high gear
11-
to not have a minute to call one's own
12-
on the go
13-
to juggle frogs
14-
to spread oneself too thin
15-
pressed for time
16-
the heat is on
a (hive|beehive) of (activity|industry)
a hive of activity
phrase
uk flag
/ɐ hˈaɪv bˈiːhaɪv ʌv æktˈɪvɪɾi ˈɪndʌstɹi/
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Idiom

a place where many people are very busy

example
Example
Click on words
The airport terminal was a beehive of activity as travelers hurried to catch their flights.
The factory floor was a hive of industry, with workers rushing to meet their production targets.
What is the origin of the idiom "a hive of activity" and when to use it?

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.

to [be|get] (run|rushed) off {one's} feet
to be run off one's feet
phrase
uk flag
/biː ɡɛt ɹˈʌn ɹˈʌʃt ˈɔf wˈʌnz fˈiːt/
Idiom
Informal

to have a lot of things that need to be done

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

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.

to [have] (a lot|too much) on {one's} plate
to have a lot on one's plate
phrase
uk flag
/hæv ɐ lˈɑːt ɔːɹ tˈuː mʌtʃ ˌɑːn wˈʌnz plˈeɪt/
Idiom

to have a certain amount of tasks or problems that need to be dealt with

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

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.

to [work|slog|sweat] {one's} guts out
to work one's guts out
phrase
uk flag
/wˈɜːk wˈʌnz ɡˈʌts ˈaʊt/
Idiom
Informal

to work really hard to achieve an aim

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

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.

(as|) busy as a bee
(as) busy as a bee
phrase
uk flag
/æz bˈɪzi æz ɐ bˈiː/
Idiom

extremely busy with work, activities, etc.

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

The phrase "busy as a bee" is believed to have originated in the 16th century, and it is a reference to the industrious and hardworking nature of bees. It is used to describe someone who is very busy and active, working hard to complete tasks and achieve goals.

to [work] like a (horse|dog|Trojan)
to work like a horse
phrase
uk flag
/wˈɜːk lˈaɪk ɐ hˈɔːɹs dˈɑːɡ tɹˈoʊdʒən/
Disapproving
Idiom
Informal

to work exceptionally hard

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

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.

to [burn] the [candle] at both ends
to burn the candle at both ends
phrase
uk flag
/bˈɜːn ðə kˈændəl æt bˈoʊθ ˈɛndz/
Idiom

to drain oneself by working very late into the night and getting up early in the morning

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

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.

(as|) busy as a beaver
(as) busy as a beaver
phrase
uk flag
/æz bˈɪzi æz ɐ bˈiːvɚ/
Idiom

extremely active, busy, and hardworking

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

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.

to [have] {one's} hands full
to have one's hands full
phrase
uk flag
/hæv wˈʌnz hˈændz fˈʊl/
Idiom

to have a lot of work that needs to be dealt with

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

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.

(in|into) high gear
in high gear
phrase
uk flag
/ɪn ˌɪntʊ hˈaɪ ɡˈɪɹ/
Idiom

in a state that is extremely efficient or active

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

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.

to {not} [have] a minute to call {one's} own
to not have a minute to call one's own
phrase
uk flag
/nˌɑːt hæv ɐ mˈɪnɪt tə kˈɔːl wˈʌnz ˈoʊn/
Idiom

to be so busy that one has no free time

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

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.

on the go
on the go
phrase
uk flag
/ɑːnðə ɡˈoʊ/
Idiom

in a state of being actively engaged in various activities or constantly in motion, typically indicating a busy and active lifestyle

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

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.

to [juggle] frogs
to juggle frogs
phrase
uk flag
/dʒˈʌɡəl fɹˈɑːɡz/

to try to handle or manage several difficult tasks or responsibilities at the same time, highlighting a busy and demanding situation

to [spread] {oneself} too thin
to spread oneself too thin
phrase
uk flag
/spɹˈɛd wʌnsˈɛlf tˈuː θˈɪn/
Idiom

to take on more tasks or responsibilities than one can handle effectively, resulting in a lack of focus and decreased productivity

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

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

pressed for time
pressed for time
phrase
uk flag
/pɹˈɛst fɔːɹ tˈaɪm/
Idiom

having very little time left

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

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.

the heat [is] on
the heat is on
sentence
uk flag
/ðə hˈiːt ɪz ˈɑːn/
Idiom
Informal

used to indicate that a situation is becoming highly intense or critical, often implying increased pressure, urgency, or scrutiny

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