a) to be unmotivated
Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.
b) to do too little
Sorry, wrong answer. Please try again.
c) to do too much
Well done ! That’s the right answer.
If you “spread yourself (too) thin” you try to do too many things at the same time, which means you cannot give enough time or attention to any of them.
French translation
s’éparpiller, se disperser, se laisser déborder
How NOT to translate : *s’étaler (trop) fin
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Examples in the press
Are You Spreading Yourself Too Thin ?
Tired of the “New Year, New Me” grind ?
Sure, as South African’s it’s part and parcel of who we are. We work hard and play hard ; pushing ourselves to be more and achieve more with each new calendar year. More, more, more …
But what if you’re already spreading yourself too thin as we welcome the pandemic’s “junior year” (to adopt the darkly comic term that went viral on Twitter). It looks like 2022 is destined to be the third year in a row that will be marked by fear and confusion. And, if you’ve taken on more than you can chew in 2021 and it’s backfired with a fiery explosion of stress – you’re the rule, not the exception.
Fedhealth, 4 Jan. 2022
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Everyday usage
The company has expanded into many different areas and has probably spread itself too thin.
I realised I’d been spreading myself so thin I wasn’t able to complete any task within schedule.
10 Oct. 2022
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