have one's hands full

• have one's handful (obsolete)

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have one's hands full (third-person singular simple present has one's hands full, present participle having one's hands full, simple past and past participle had one's hands full)

1. (idiomatic) To be busy or thoroughly preoccupied.

   He already has his hands full with two kids and a full-time job, yet he still makes time to volunteer.

   • c. 1603, Walter Raleigh, Apology for the Voyage to Guiana:

     They had their hands full to defend themselves from firing.

• handful
• have one's hands tied
• tie one's hands