otherwise engaged

phrase

: 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

The family are so committed to the mission that Conor’s folks take over whenever he and his brother are otherwise engaged. — Phil Hay, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2026

When America entered World War II in late 1941, Marshall Best, to a large extent, managed Viking for Harold Guinzburg, who was otherwise engaged. — Paul Slovak september 16, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025

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 Aug. 2025

But if that trio is otherwise engaged, who else could step up at star? — Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 13 Aug. 2025

Rolin is otherwise engaged with the third season of Interview. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 May 2025

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

Rhymes for otherwise engaged

• aged
• caged
• gaged
• gauged
• paged
• raged
• staged
• swaged
• waged
• assuaged
• enraged
• outraged