Meaning: This idiom means being overwhelmed with details, tasks, or problems, often to the point of losing track of the bigger picture or feeling unable to manage everything effectively.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I’ve been so busy with administrative work that I’m completely in the weeds and can’t focus on strategic planning.”
- “During the lunch rush, the restaurant staff found themselves in the weeds, struggling to keep up with orders.”
- “She’s been in the weeds with her studies, juggling multiple assignments and exams at once.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “in the weeds” is believed to come from the restaurant industry. When servers or kitchen staff are overwhelmed with orders and unable to keep up, they are said to be “in the weeds,” as if they are bogged down and struggling to find their way out. The phrase has since been adopted more broadly to describe any situation where someone is overwhelmed by the details and tasks at hand, making it difficult to manage everything effectively. The imagery of being lost or entangled in weeds effectively conveys the sense of being overwhelmed and unable to see a clear path forward.
