PhrasesHub

To be snowed under

    Definitions

      • overwhelmed with work
        Describing a situation where someone has an excessive amount of work or tasks to handle, making them feel burdened or stressed

      • buried
        Referring to being covered or buried under a large amount of something, such as snow, work, or obligations

    Examples of To be snowed under

    • Jane has been snowed under with work this week. She has so many projects and deadlines that she can barely keep up.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person has an overwhelming amount of work or responsibilities to deal with. "Snowed under" is a figurative expression that compares the feeling of being overwhelmed to being buried under a heavy snowfall. Jane seems to be experiencing this kind of situation, where she has so much work that it's almost like she's being buried under it.

    • The marketing department is snowed under with last-minute requests from clients. They've been working non-stop to meet all the deadlines and deliverables.

      This example shows that the idiom can be used to describe a situation when an unexpected onslaught of work or requests suddenly falls upon a person or team. The marketing department seems to be facing such a situation, where they're having to handle numerous last-minute requests from clients, which is making them feel overwhelmed.

    • After taking on too many projects, Sarah found herself snowed under with work. She had to prioritize and delegate some of the tasks to free up her time.

      This example illustrates how the idiom can describe a situation where a person takes on too many tasks or projects, which later becomes too much to handle. In this case, Sarah found herself in such a situation, where she had too many projects, which made her feel buried under work. To cope with the situation, she had to prioritize and delegate some tasks to lighten her workload.

    • The teacher was snowed under with grading papers during the final exams. She barely had time to eat or sleep.

      This example demonstrates how the idiom can be used to describe a situation where a person has an overwhelming workload during a specific period, such as exams or deadlines. In this case, the teacher seems to be facing such a situation during the final exams, where she has an overwhelming number of papers to grade, leaving her with little time for anything else.

    • She's been snowed under with work lately.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where a person has been overwhelmed with a large amount of work or tasks that they are struggling to handle. In this example, the person in question is finding it difficult to manage the work that has been given to her, and as a result, she's feeling buried under it all, much like how someone might be buried under snow.

    • The manager was snowed under by unexpected deadlines.

      In this example, the manager is so busy dealing with unexpected deadlines that they cannot keep up with their usual workload. The idiom highlights the sense of being overburdened and unable to cope with the amount of work that needs to be done.

    • The new project snowed him under last month.

      This example is similar to the others, but it specifically refers to a more recent event. The person being described was probably caught off guard by the amount of work involved in the new project, and as a result, they were snowed under by it.

    • They've been snowed under by a deluge of emails.

      This example uses a different phrase - 'a deluge of emails' - to convey the overwhelming nature of the situation. In this case, the person or people being described are being snowed under by a large volume of emails, making it difficult for them to keep up with their workload. The idiom highlights the sense of being buried under something, whether it's work or emails, and being unable to cope with the sheer weight of it all.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to be snowed under" is commonly used to express a feeling of being overwhelmed with work or tasks. It can also be used to describe being buried under a large amount of something, such as snow or obligations. It is often used in a casual or informal context to convey a sense of being burdened or stressed.

    Origin of "To be snowed under"

    The origin of the idiom "to be snowed under" can be traced back to the literal meaning of the phrase. When someone is "snowed under," it means they are covered or buried under a large amount of snow. Over time, the phrase has been figuratively extended to describe being overwhelmed with work or tasks, reflecting the feeling of being buried under a heavy workload. The idiom is often used in a lighthearted manner to convey a sense of being swamped with responsibilities. Its origins in the literal image of being snowed under make it a vivid and relatable expression for anyone who has felt overwhelmed by their workload. For example, "I'm so snowed under with all these assignments, I don't know where to start!"