have hands full


have (one's) hands full

To be busy or completely occupied with dealing with something. I have my hands full with all these meetings today, so can I call you back tomorrow? Paula has her hands full with those kids.See also: full, hand, have

have one's hands full (with someone or something)

Fig. to be busy or totally occupied with someone or something. I have my hands full with my three children. You have your hands full with managing the store.See also: full, hand, have

have one's hands full

Be extremely busy, as in With the new baby she really has her hands full. [Second half of 1400s] See also: full, hand, have

have one's hands full, to

To be completely occupied or very busy, to have more than enough to do. This expression dates from the fifteenth century or earlier. It appears in Thomas Malory’s Morte d’Arthur: “Ye shalle have bothe your handes ful of me.” See also plate, to have a lot/enough on one's.See also: hand, have