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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Be snowed under

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To have so much work or so many tasks that it is difficult to cope.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I am snowed under with applications this week.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To have so much work or so many tasks that it is difficult to cope.
Show the answer

Be snowed under — To have so much work or so many tasks that it is difficult to cope.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Be snowed under” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To have so much work or so many tasks that it is difficult to cope.

Compare: I am snowed under with applications this week.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it conversationally to explain a heavy workload or why you cannot take on more work.

More examples in context

  • The support team was snowed under after the booking system failed.
  • We will be snowed under if all the orders arrive on the same day.

Usage note

Use a form of be: “I am snowed under.” Add with to name the workload. The idiom does not require snowy weather.

A short conversation

A: Could you check another set of forms today?
B: I am snowed under with the morning’s applications. Could it wait until tomorrow?
A: Yes, tomorrow will be fine.

One more practice question

What does “She is snowed under with work” mean?

A. She has more work than she can easily manage.
B. She has no work and is looking for something to do.

Check your answer

A. The expression describes an overwhelming workload.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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