Bite off more than one can chew(PW) trying to do more than one can physically and mentally handleI told her I would help her in her job, but it seems that’s all I’ve been doing lately. I think I bit off more than I could chew.(thePhraseFinder)One reference says: "...Its figurative meaning seems to have arisen in the United States in the latter part of the 19th century, with the first recorded use of the term appearing in 1878 in J.H. Beadle's 'Western Wilds': 'Men, you've bit off more'n you can chew.'" From "Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Wings Books, Originally New York: Facts on File Publications, 1985). Page 26.(freedictionary) bite off more than (one) can chewTo decide or agree to do more than one can finally accomplish.Informal to attempt a task beyond one's capability(GoEnglish) Biting Off More Than You Can Chew ( taking on a challenge that is too big ... )To take on a responsibility which is too large for you to manage is biting off more than you can chew. Example: "I thought I could finish this report within a month, but I bit off more than I could chew." When eating food, you first bite off a piece, then chew it, and swallow it. If you bite off more than you can chew, you have taken a bite so large that you are not able chew it. Example: "I went skiing last weekend and I went down the most difficult hill first. I bit off more than I could chew." To bite off more than you can chew is to take on a challenge that is too big for you to accomplish. Example: "I want you to think carefully about how many people you need for this project. Be sure not to bite off more than you can chew."
