Meaning & use
on your plate
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Having many tasks, problems, or responsibilities to deal with.
Grammar: Used after 'have' or 'be': I have a lot on my plate; it's on my plate.
Patterns
- have something on your plate
- be on someone's plate
She can't take on another project right now—she has too much on her plate.
With three kids and a full-time job, he has a lot on his plate.
I know you have a lot on your plate, but could you help me with this report?
phrasefixed phraseinformal
Being someone's responsibility to handle or pay for.
Grammar: Often used with 'leave' or 'put': leave it on my plate; put it on his plate.
Patterns
- leave something on someone's plate
- put something on someone's plate
The boss left the whole presentation on my plate while he went on vacation.
Don't put your problems on my plate; deal with them yourself.
Common combinations
- a lot on your plate
- He's got a lot on his plate with the new baby and the move.
- too much on your plate
- I think you have too much on your plate to volunteer this weekend.
- on someone's plate
- The deadline is on my plate now, so I'll handle it.
- leave something on someone's plate
- She left the paperwork on my plate and went home.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on your hands
- Similar meaning, but often used for problems or responsibilities you must deal with, especially unwanted ones.
- on your shoulders
- Focuses on the burden of responsibility, often emotional or serious.
Commonly confused: on your plate or on the plate?
on your plate vs on the plate
This means physically on a plate (for food) or, in baseball, refers to home plate. 'On your plate' is only for responsibilities.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'on your plate' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'On your plate' is an idiom meaning many responsibilities. The other options use 'plate' literally, which is not the idiomatic meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on your plate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.