el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta

/el ke ˈmu.tʃo aˈβaɾ.ka ˈpo.ko aˈpɾje.ta/proverb
trying to do too much leads to doing nothing well

Si intentas aprender cinco idiomas a la vez, el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

If you try to learn five languages at once, you'll end up not mastering any of them.


What It Really Means
A caution against overcommitment, suggesting that spreading oneself too thin leads to mediocre results.
Literal Meaning
The one who tries to cover a lot, squeezes little.
Literal Breakdown
el que mucho abarcathe one who tries to cover a lot+poco aprietasqueezes little
Mental Image
The image of someone trying to grasp too much but failing to hold onto anything firmly.
When to Use
A manager warns a team member against taking on too many projects at once, saying, 'Remember, el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.'
Cultural Note
This proverb reflects a cultural value of practicality and efficiency in Spanish-speaking societies.
informal

A warning against overcommitment, suggesting that spreading oneself too thin results in mediocre outcomes.

Quiso manejar tres proyectos al mismo tiempo, pero el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

He tried to handle three projects at once, but you know what they say—jack of all trades, master of none.

No te inscribas en demasiados cursos; el que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

Don't enroll in too many courses; you can't excel at everything at once.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of focus and prioritization.

Related Phrases

quien mucho abarca, poco aprietaproverb
same as the original proverb
no se puede abarcar todophrase
you can't do everything at once

Pro Tip

Usage Context

This proverb is often used in professional or academic settings to advise against overcommitment.

Gold Rule

Focus Over Quantity

Prioritize quality over quantity in your endeavors to achieve better results.

Word Origin

The proverb originates from Spanish wisdom literature, emphasizing practical advice about productivity and focus.

Usage Notes

This expression is often used to discourage overambition or to critique someone who is spreading their efforts too thin.

Word Breakdown

el que mucho abarca
the one who tries to cover a lot
phrase
+
poco aprieta
squeezes little
phrase
Diccionario Español-Inglés