otherwise engaged

idiom

: busy doing something else
He won't be able to attend because he's otherwise engaged.

Examples of otherwise engaged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These gooey bars are great to eat while otherwise engaged with the game, especially when served chilled for less mess. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2024 Bush 43, wrestling with 9/11 and discretionary wars, was otherwise engaged. Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 17 Sep. 2024 Because the department has a narrow window to initiate a drug search, a K-9 unit most likely will not be available in time, either because the unit is too far away, otherwise engaged, or because there is no active unit that day. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2024 But even if the European Peace Facility is expanded and the rapid deployment force becomes operational, Europe will hardly be able to defend itself if the United States is otherwise engaged. Radek Sikorski, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2023 If you’re otherwise engaged when a former flame hits you up on Snapchat, stick to your boundaries! ELLE, 2 June 2023 If you’re otherwise engaged when a former flame hits you up on Snapchat, stick to your boundaries! ELLE, 2 June 2023 They are intended to be touched, climbed on, and otherwise engaged with. Lauren Elkin, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2023 He was known as a friendly, talkative customer who asked about their children and otherwise engaged them in conversation. Jacqueline L. Salmon, Washington Post, 31 Dec. 2022

Dictionary Entries Near otherwise engaged

Cite this Entry

“Otherwise engaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/otherwise%20engaged. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!