(as) busy as a one-armed paperhanger (with an itch)

(as) busy as a one-armed paperhanger (with an itch)

Constantly busy, active, or occupied (with something). I'm currently choreographing three plays, so I'm busy as one-armed paperhanger. Can we meet next week instead? I'm just as busy as a one-armed paperhanger with an itch right now. Between working two part-time jobs, volunteering on the weekends, and looking after his little brother, Sam's been busy as a one-armed paperhanger this summer.

See also: an, busy, paperhanger

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