have a lot on one's plate

Idioms and Phrases

Also, have too much on one's plate . Have a great deal (or too much) to cope with, as in What with the new baby and the new house, they have a lot on their plate , or I can't take that on now; I've got too much on my plate already . This expression transfers a loaded or overloaded dinner plate to other activities. [First half of 1900s]