Welcome to Idiom 100, where we learn 100 commonly used idioms by native English speakers.

All of the explanations are in English, so it might be challenging for you,

but just try to imagine the meanings in your head and study hard and soon you'll be able to use these idioms in your conversations.

Is everyone ready? Let's begin.

Hello again everyone!

Today's idiom is: full plate.

Full plate.

Alright, so let's imagine you have a dinner plate here and you're thinking about your schedule for today, alright?

So, you're going to write down on note cards everything you have to do today, okay?

So, you're writing and putting them on the plate, writing, put the card on the plate.

And after 20 minutes, your plate is very full.

Wow! You have a lot of things to do today. You have full plate.

Alright, so let's think about this idiom and listen to its use in 2 examples.

Hey, do you wanna catch a drink some time this weekend?

Thanks, but sorry, my in-laws are coming and this weekend I have a full plate.

Alright, so his plate is full. He has a full plate, too many things to do.

So, he can't have drinks with his friend.

Alright, let's listen to another example.

Were you able to make reservations with the teacher you wanted?

The teacher I wanted had a full plate, so I found a different teacher instead.

Alright, so she wanted this teacher, but she was too busy. She had a full plate.

So, she found a different teacher.

Alright, so if you guessed it, you're right, a full plate means a full schedule, very busy.

Alright, and we can say it in two different ways.

For example, 'I have a full plate,' or, 'My plate is full.'

So, you can try either of these in a situation when you want to tell someone very naturally, 'I'm too busy for that.'

Yeah, I have too many things to do and that extra thing, I just can't do it.

Yeah, my plate is full. I have a full plate. I'm sorry.

Alright, and I hope your plate is not too full with English and all of your activities.

So, please be relaxed and enjoy and try using this idiom again soon and I'll see you next time.