This pattern indicates that someone is so absorbed in one thing that they neglect other responsibilities or aspects of life. It often carries a slightly critical or regretful tone, implying that the person's focus is excessive or one-sided. It is commonly used in written or formal contexts, such as news articles, essays, or formal speeches, rather than casual conversation.

The structure is straightforward: take a noun that represents the activity someone is absorbed in, then add にかまけて. The clause after it usually describes what is being neglected. For example, if someone is busy with work and ignores their family, you might say 仕事にかまけて、家族をないがしろにしている.

Because it is N1 level and literary, you won't hear it in everyday chat, but you'll encounter it in novels, opinion pieces, or business reports. Using it in speech might sound overly formal or dramatic, so be mindful of the context.