bite off more than you can chew

Meaning

To try to do more than you are able to do.

Examples

1. I think I bit off more than I could chew when I took three extra courses. US UK
2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Start with one project. US UK
3. He bit off more than he could chew by promising to finish the website in a week. US UK

How to use it

Use it to warn someone, or to describe your own mistake. Keep the pattern: bite off more than + subject + can or could chew. The tense of can and could changes with the sentence.

Common mistake

Not: She bit more than she could chew.
Say: She bit off more than she could chew. (Do not forget off.)