How to say “I’m busy” in English?

If you want to tell someone you’re busy at the moment, you can use the phrase I’m busy. However, this expression might feel too direct and could sound a bit rude. So, it’s a good idea to learn other ways to say you’re busy in English.

1️⃣ I’m swamped 🌊

“I’m swamped” means you’re overwhelmed with work or tasks, and you have a lot to do.

2️⃣ I’m tied up 🎀

“I’m tied up” is used when you’re too busy to do something else because you’re already committed to other tasks or meetings.

3️⃣ I’m overloaded 📚

“I’m overloaded” means you have too much to handle and feel overwhelmed.

4️⃣ I’m slammed 🚪

“I’m slammed” is an informal way of saying you’re very busy, often with work.

5️⃣ I’m occupied 🏢

“I’m occupied” means you’re busy, and usually can’t talk or do something else.

6️⃣ I’m buried 📂

“I’m buried” means you have so much to do that you feel overwhelmed, and it’s hard to take on more tasks.

7️⃣ I’m bustling 🐝

“I’m bustling” means you’re very busy and working hard, often with a lot of activity around you.

8️⃣ I’m engaged ⚙️

“I’m engaged” means you’re involved in something important and can’t do anything else.

9️⃣ I’m preoccupied 🤔

“I’m preoccupied” means you’re so focused on something that you can’t think about anything else.

🔟 I’m snowed under ❄️

“I’m snowed under” is an idiom used to say you’re overwhelmed with work, especially when you have too many tasks.