In English idioms and phrases, what does the expression "to have bitten off more than you can chew" most clearly describe in everyday life situations?

Introduction / Context:
The idiom "to have bitten off more than you can chew" is a very common expression in English that appears in conversations, competitive exams, and reading comprehension passages. This question tests your understanding of idiomatic language, which is very important for exams because idioms often do not give their meaning directly from the individual words. Instead, you must understand the figurative meaning that native speakers use in real life situations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The idiom in focus is "to have bitten off more than you can chew".
• The setting is general English usage and idioms.
• We assume the person has taken up some task, responsibility, or promise.
• We need the meaning that best matches common usage in standard English.

Concept / Approach:
The literal image in the idiom is of a person biting a piece of food that is larger than what the mouth can comfortably chew. From this picture, English extends a figurative meaning. The figurative meaning is not about eating but about taking on a task or responsibility that is too large or too difficult for a person to handle. Therefore, we must search among the options for the one that talks about attempting something beyond one's capacity or resources rather than something about food, elders, or missed opportunities.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the idiom and imagine the literal scene of someone biting a very large piece of food.Step 2: Recognise that idioms usually carry a figurative meaning related to that scene, not the direct physical meaning.Step 3: Think of common exam explanations: the idiom usually means taking on a task that is too big or difficult.Step 4: Compare this understanding with each option and identify which one expresses the idea of accepting a task beyond one's ability or resources.Step 5: Confirm that option C clearly states "to try to do something that is too difficult", which matches the standard dictionary meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you check standard English dictionaries or idiom guides, you will find definitions such as "to try to do something that is too difficult" or "to take on more responsibility than one can manage". This confirms that the correct answer must highlight overambitious effort rather than overeating, disrespectful behaviour, or a missed opportunity. Therefore, option C matches this verified meaning perfectly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Option A talks about eating quickly and falling sick, which keeps the meaning at a purely literal eating level and ignores the figurative sense of responsibility.
• Option B deals with bad behaviour towards elders and later regret, which is about manners, not about capacity or workload.
• Option D talks about missing a golden opportunity and then wanting to work harder, which relates to regret and recovery, not to taking on too much at the start.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes focus too strongly on the visual word "chew" and select an option related to eating. Others confuse this idiom with phrases about regret or missed chances. In idiom questions, it is important not to translate word by word but to recall the fixed figurative meaning that is commonly taught in English courses and seen in reading passages.

Final Answer:
The idiom "to have bitten off more than you can chew" means to try to do something that is too difficult for your ability, time, or resources.