I'm up to my ears in it

It's been one of those weeks when there just isn't the time to get everything done. No matter how hard I work, there's always something outstanding. This got me thinking about idioms we use to talk about heavy or light workloads.

Too much work

I'm up to my ears in work = I've got too much work

We're rushed off our feet = We're very busy at the moment

I've been working non-stop = I haven't stopped working

All we seem to do is put out fires = we respond to one emergency after another, rather than get on with our projects

We're completely overstretched = we don't have enough human resources to do the work

Too little work

twiddle your thumbs = have nothing to do

take it easy = not have to work hard

It's a bit of a slack period = We don't have much work on

rest on your laurels = not make too much of an effort as past successes mean you can relax

take a breath = take a little time to relax