From a ship into a ballroom

[Kikimorra]

There is a Russian expression "s korablya na bal" (from the ship to the ballroom) which means something like 'hastily turning from one activity to another'. I wonder if there is an English equivalent of any kind? I heard a suggestion "to hit the ground running", but that simply means 'starting something new with enthusiasm'. There's no switching between activities involved. Any suggestions?

[Skrej]

The closest I can think off off the top of my head is "too many irons in the fire", which means to be juggling too many projects at once, with something being bound to fail for lack of full attention.
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Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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[Kitosdad]

More haste, less speed.
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If you need me, I'm here.

[Kikimorra]

Thank you, guys, a lot! I think that the one about irons suits better if only because it doesn't seem to imply intent to rush things up - more like the circumstances require switching attention... am I right?

[Shyone]

In Germany we say that someone is dancing at too many weddings.
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No comment

[Skrej]

[Kikimorra]

I see, thank you. The original expression, though, is used when, say, you've just arrived in the airport, next hour you're already making a report at a conference, and straight after that you're brought to a museum tour without having a moment to wash your face let alone change clothes.

[Milanya]

Sadly, English literature did not have either Alexander Sergeyevich Griboyedov or Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, who coined this expression in Russian.
"Он возвратился и попал,
Как Чацкий, с корабля на бал."
Александр Сергеевич Пушкин
Евгений Онегин
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

[Kikimorra]

Milanya, yes, thank you, I am aware of the origin. Fortunately, the English language has its own rather extensive literary tradition and could, at some point, accidentally tackle the same idea.

[Milanya]

[Kikimorra]

Yes, that is also pretty obvious. I never meant to find a perfect equivalent, I was just wondering.