Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions

Yesterday was one of those days when I could not keep up with all the things "on my plate"

So I guess you could say I was a "day late and a dollar short" on everything.

have too much on one's plate and have a lot on one's plate

Fig. to be too busy.

I'm sorry, I just have too much on my plate right now.

If you have too much on your plate, can I help?

(McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.)

I would probably sign it BUSY with emphasis.


day late and a dollar short
late and ill-prepared.

Tommy, you seem to show up a day late and a dollar short all the time. You need to get organized. (McGraw-Hill again)

ASL pro uses the gloss MESS for the sign that comes to my mind. What do you think?