We all sometimes take on tasks or responsibilities that are beyond our abilities, resulting in feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. This phrase "bit more than can chew" refers to a situation where someone has taken on more than they can handle, to the point of struggling with it. Synonyms for this phrase include "overburdened", "out of one's depth", "in over one's head", "overextended", "swamped", "exhausted", "stretched too thin", "overloaded", or "overcommitted". Using more nuanced language to describe this situation can help you communicate more effectively with others about the challenges you are facing or help others recognize when they have taken on too much.