How to say it · How you feel

Being extremely busy

Someone asks for your time and you genuinely have none. You want to say so without sounding rude, lazy or like you're showing off.

5 ways to say it

How strongMildExtreme

I'm really busy at the momentbest default I've got a lot onsoft british I'm swampedburied in tasks I haven't had a minute to myselfno break at all I'm at full capacity right nowwork-safe

Way 1 · best default

I'm really busy at the moment

Clear and polite. "At the moment" tells people it won't last forever.

How strongMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

I'm really busy at the moment, but I can call you on Friday.

Sorry for the slow reply, I'm really busy at the moment.

In a conversation

A: Do you want to come to my barbecue on Saturday?
B: I'd love to, but I'm really busy at the moment. Can I let you know?

Common mistake

Not: ~~I have no time.~~

Say: I'm really busy at the moment.

"I have no time" can sound like "I have no time for you". Adding "at the moment" keeps the door open.

Practice saying this

Next: I've got a lot on

Way 2 · soft british

I've got a lot on

A light, friendly way to say life is full right now: work, family, everything.

How strongMild

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

I've got a lot on this week, so let's meet next weekend.

She's got a lot on with the new baby and the house move.

Common mistake

Not: ~~I have~~ a lot ~~of works.~~

Say: I've got a lot on.

"Work" has no plural here. "I've got a lot on" covers work and everything else too.

Practice saying this

Next: I'm swamped

Way 3 · buried in tasks

I'm swamped

So much work that it's piling up around you. Common and friendly at work.

How strongExtreme

ToneCasual

Use itAt work

Examples

I'm swamped today. Can we talk tomorrow morning?

The whole team is swamped with end-of-year orders.

In a conversation

A: Have you got five minutes to look at my slides?
B: I'm swamped right now, but I'll have a look after lunch.

Practice saying this

Next: I haven't had a minute to myself

Way 4 · no break at all

I haven't had a minute to myself

Busy from morning to night, with zero time for you. Sounds tired and honest.

How strongVery extreme

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Between work and the kids, I haven't had a minute to myself all week.

Since we moved, I haven't had a minute to myself.

In a conversation

A: Did you start that book I lent you?
B: Not yet, sorry. I haven't had a minute to myself.

Practice saying this

Next: I'm at full capacity right now

Way 5 · work-safe

I'm at full capacity right now

Professional way to say you can't take on more work, without complaining.

How strongExtreme

ToneFormal

Use itAt work

Examples

I'm at full capacity right now, so I can't start this until March.

Our team is at full capacity right now, but I can suggest someone.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

I'm really busy at the moment I've got a lot on I'm swamped I haven't had a minute to myself

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

More moments like this