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、手が塞がっているので、後で電話します。
I'm tied up right now, so I'll call you later.
料理中で手が塞がっていて、ドアを開けられなかった。
My hands were full with cooking, so I couldn't open the door.