busy as a bee

== English == === Etymology === Compare Middle English bisy as bees. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˈbɪziæzəˈbiː/ Rhymes: -iː === Adjective === busy as a bee (not comparable) (simile, idiomatic) Very active; working constantly. Synonyms: busy as a beaver, busy as a one-armed paperhanger, busy as a dyke in a hardware store (vulgar) 1872 — Johanna Spyri, Heidi, ch. 16 (translated) Heidi ran backwards and forwards as busy as a bee and brought out everything she could find in the cupboard, for she did not know how to be pleased enough that she could help to entertain the doctor. ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ====