手てが塞ふさがる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

be busy; have one's hands full; be tied up

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'one's hands are blocked/occupied'. Used when someone is physically or mentally occupied with a task and cannot do something else. Often used in the progressive form 手が塞がっている.

Antonyms: 手が空く

• 今いま、手てが塞ふさがっているので、後あとで電でん話わします。

  I'm tied up right now, so I'll call you later.

• 料りょう理り中ちゅうで手てが塞ふさがっていて、ドアを開あけられなかった。

  My hands were full with cooking, so I couldn't open the door.