I have too much to do today.
'Troppo' — TROP-po. Clear double 'p'. 'Da fare' — da FA-re, unstressed 'da'.
Use when your schedule is genuinely overloaded. Simple and direct — works best with close friends who will understand without needing details.
'Troppo da fare' literally means 'too much to do'. This phrase is honest and straightforward. In Italian culture, honesty about being overwhelmed is appreciated among close friends more than elaborate excuses.
Sono sommerso/a di lavoro.
I'm swamped with work.
'Sommerso' (submerged/swamped) is very vivid and expressive
Ho mille cose da sistemare.
I have a thousand things to sort out.
Hyperbolic in a very Italian way — widely understood and sympathised with
Non ho un minuto libero.
I don't have a free minute.
Emphasises how packed the day is — implies genuine impossibility
Italians often use food or drink offers as social currency to make up for cancelled plans. Offering to pay for the next meal or coffee is a genuine gesture of reconciliation.