Saying “I’m busy” might seem like a simple way to explain that you can’t talk or help at the moment. But in English—especially in the workplace—just saying you’re “busy” can sometimes come off as blunt or even unprofessional.
So, how do you say you’re unavailable without sounding rude? Here are 10 polite and natural English phrases you can use instead!
1. I’m tied up.
Think of it like this: each task you’re handling is like a rope. Add enough of them, and you’re “tied up” and unavailable to do anything else.
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“I’m all tied up with this report. Maybe Janet can help you instead?”
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“Sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier—I was tied up in back-to-back meetings.”
2. I’m preoccupied.
This word is often used when your attention is already focused elsewhere. Whether you’re in a meeting or your mind is just on something else, this is a polite way to say you’re not available.
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“Sorry, I’m a bit preoccupied right now. Can I get back to you later?”
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“I understand you’ve been preoccupied with other urgent projects—thanks for getting back to me!”
3. I have a lot on my plate.
Just like a full dinner plate, when you say you have “a lot on your plate,” it means you already have too many tasks or responsibilities.
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“I’d love to help, but I’ve got a lot on my plate this week.”
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“That’s a great idea, but we’re already juggling several projects—we just don’t have room for more right now.”
4. I don’t have the bandwidth.
Originally a tech term, “bandwidth” is now widely used in offices to mean time, energy, or capacity. It’s mostly used to say you don’t have those things.
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“I don’t have the bandwidth to take that on this week. Could we revisit it later?”
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“Unfortunately, I’m stretched too thin and don’t have the bandwidth right now.”
5. I’m juggling a lot.
Picture someone literally juggling multiple balls. That’s how this expression came about—it’s a fun way to say you’re managing many things at once.
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“I’m juggling a couple of tight deadlines at the moment. Could we touch base next week?”
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“Even though I’m juggling a lot right now, I’ll do my best to get this done by Friday.”
6. I’m spread thin.
If you try to spread butter on too much toast, it becomes a thin layer. This is what it feels like when you’re trying to do too much at once.
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“I’ve already spread myself too thin this quarter, so I won’t be able to take on anything new.”
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“Our department is spread pretty thin at the moment, but we’ll keep your request in mind.”
7. I’m up to my ears.
This playful phrase means you’re buried in work—so much so that it’s piled up to your ears!
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“I’m up to my ears in paperwork this week. Can we talk next Monday instead?”
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“We’re up to our ears in planning for the big event—it’s all hands on deck!”
8. I’m buried in work.
Similar to the phrase above, this paints a picture of being overwhelmed with tasks.
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“Sorry I haven’t responded sooner—I’ve been buried in emails and deadlines lately.”
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“Two people are out sick, so I’m really buried in work trying to cover for them.”
Bonus versions: “I’m drowning in work” or “I’m snowed under.”
9. I’m swamped.
Imagine a swamp—muddy, messy, hard to move through. That’s how it feels when you’re “swamped” with tasks.
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“I’m swamped today with client calls, but I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
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“The team’s swamped with last-minute edits, so we’ll need more time to finish.”
10. Things are really hectic.
Use this when everything feels chaotic and fast-paced. Just remember—“hectic” describes your schedule or situation, not you personally.
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“It’s been a hectic day, but I’ll try to squeeze in time for that call.”
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“This week’s been hectic with deadlines, so thank you for your patience.”
Final Thoughts
Even when you’re drowning in tasks, there’s always a polite way to let others know you’re unavailable. These expressions are useful in both casual and professional settings—just be sure to match the tone with the person you’re speaking to (especially if it’s your boss).
Looking for more polite ways to communicate? Stay tuned for our upcoming post on how to say “no” in friendly and respectful ways!
