Don't bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: Don't take on more than you can handle.

Origin: American English proverb from the late 19th century, referring to chewing tobacco.

Translations

• French: Il ne faut pas avoir les yeux plus gros que le ventre (literally: Don't have eyes bigger than your stomach)
• Spanish: Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta (literally: He who grasps much, holds little)
• Japanese: 身の程を知れ (Mi no hodo wo shire) (literally: Know your own limits)

More proverbs about Wisdom

• Every rose has its thorn — Even the best things have their drawbacks.
• All's well that ends well — A good outcome justifies the difficulties along the way.
• A rolling stone gathers no moss — Those who keep moving avoid stagnation (or commitments).
• Don't burn your bridges — Don't destroy relationships you might need later.
• Pearls before swine — Giving something valuable to those who can't appreciate it.
• Hindsight is 20/20 — Past decisions are always clearer in retrospect.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…