on one's plate

English

Etymology

From the metaphor of an amount of food ready to be eaten.

Prepositional phrase

on one's plate

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on,‎ plate.
2. (of one or more matters of concern) To be dealt with or handled.

   I can't take on any more work. I already have enough on my plate.

   • 2007, James Hawkins, Deadly Sin, page 176:

     "Sorry, Dave," says Bryan, tossing his notes onto Bliss's desk. "But this one's down to you. I've already got half a dozen blaggings on my plate thanks to our Muslim mates.”

   • 2009, Joseph J. Luciani, Reconnecting: A Self-Coaching Solution to Revive Your Love Life, page 126:

     The Concern Channel will tell you about learning to deal only with the significant, legitimate problems that are on your plate today — not what may be on your plate tomorrow.

   • 2009, Robert Van Voren, On Dissidents and Madness, page 239:

     The only major case we had on our plate was in The Netherlands, of all places.

See also

• too many balls in the air
• on a plate

Anagrams

• sleep-at-noon