- Metaphorically refers to a person's or team's capacity, availability, time, or mental energy to take on additional tasks or responsibilities.
Explanation
Origin
- Borrowed directly from the technical term in computing and telecommunications.
- Technical bandwidth refers to the maximum rate of data transfer across a network or connection.
- In the late 20th/early 21st century, it was adopted metaphorically in business jargon to describe human capacity.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- I'm swamped. / Totally swamped.
- My plate is full.
- I'm slammed.
- Got too much on my plate.
- Maxed out.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- I'm fuckin' slammed.
- Up to my eyeballs/ass in work.
Milder/Standard:
- I'm too busy right now.
- I don't have time for that.
- My schedule is full.
- I'm currently overloaded.
Situational Appropriateness
- Very common in corporate and tech environments. Increasingly used in general conversation.
- Can sound jargony or impersonal to some, especially outside of business contexts.
- Generally acceptable in most professional settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might confuse it with the technical term, especially if they work in IT.
- Some people perceive it as a cold or overly corporate way to say I'm too busy or I don't want to.
Examples
- I don't have the bandwidth to join another committee right now.
- Does the team have enough bandwidth to handle this urgent request?
- We need to assess our bandwidth before committing to the new project.
Dialogue
Manager: Sarah, can you take the lead on the Miller account proposal?
Sarah: I'd like to, but honestly, I don't think I have the bandwidth right now with the Peterson project deadline looming.
Manager: Okay, appreciate the honesty. Let's see if Mark has the bandwidth instead.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Note to self: stop saying yes to things when you have zero bandwidth. #WorkLifeBalance #Overwhelmed
- LinkedIn Post: Successfully onboarded two new clients this month! Stretching the team's bandwidth, but proud of the effort. #Teamwork #Growth
- Forum Comment (Freelancer): Had to turn down a project today. Just don't have the bandwidth. Hate doing it, but necessary.
Response Patterns
- Understanding/Acceptance: Okay, understood., No problem, thanks for letting me know., I get it.
- Negotiation/Problem-solving: What could we take off your plate to free up some bandwidth?, Is there anyone else on the team with bandwidth for this?
- Clarification: So you're completely full until next week?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says they lack bandwidth:
- Trying to find alternative solutions or people.
- Asking about their current workload to understand the constraints.
- Discussing reprioritization of existing tasks.
After asking if someone has bandwidth:
- If yes: Assigning the task.
- If no: Moving to the follow-ups mentioned above.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used in response to requests or when discussing workload and resource allocation.
Intonation
- Stress usually falls on the first syllable: BAND-width.
- Often said with a slightly apologetic or matter-of-fact tone when declining something.
Generation Differences
- Most prevalent among Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, especially those in office/tech jobs.
- Older generations might find it overly technical or prefer simpler terms like time or capacity.
Regional Variations
- Primarily North American business jargon, but its usage has spread significantly to other English-speaking regions due to globalized business culture.