bite off more than one can chew
Take on excess
To bite off more than one can chew is to take on more than one can handle—committing to a task, responsibility, or challenge that exceeds one's capacity.
The image is of someone cramming too much food into their mouth.
I thought I could renovate the house myself, but I bit off more than I could chew.
- burn the candle at both endsExhaust through excess activity
- overdoExceed reasonable limits
- overreachExceed one's capacity
- dog that caught the carSuccess without readiness for consequences
- spread too thinCommitted beyond one's capacity
bit off more than · take on too much · overcommit · in over one's head · eat an elephant one bite at a time · overburden · overextend · unrealistic · discernment · reality check · overwhelm · hit a wall · challenge · burnout · overshoot · daunting · overtask · foresight
bite off more than one can chewcope
Handle difficulties adequately
manage · handle · keep one's head above water · pace oneself · play it safe
bite off more than one can chewerr on the side of caution
Prefer safety over risk
hedge one's bets · tread carefully · take stock · deliberate
bite off more than one can chewplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
err on the side of caution · pace oneself · take it slow · hedge one's bets · stay in one's lane