Informal French Expression
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| Meaning | to have a lot to do, a lot on one’s plate, have one’s work cut out | |
| Literally | to have bread on the (bread)board | |
| Register | informal | |
| Pronunciation |  |
[ah vwahr du peh(n) sur la pla(n)sh] |
| IPA | [a vwaʀ dy pɛ̃ syʀ la plãʃ] | |
Usage notes: The informal French expression avoir du pain sur la planche is very similar to English’s “to have a lot on one’s plate." I find the equating of food to be eaten and work to be done very interesting, as one doesn’t normally think of eating as a chore, especially in France. Cooking maybe, but not eating.
Par exemple…
| Je ne peux pas sortir ce soir ; j’ai du pain sur la planche. | I can’t go out tonight; I have a lot (of work) to do. | |
| Profitez bien du weekend, lundi on va avoir du pain sur la planche. | Enjoy the weekend, on Monday we’re going to have a lot of work to do. |
Similar expression
- Il reste du pain sur la planche – There’s still a lot to do, a lot of work to do
More French expressions with food
Related lessons
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