🍞 “Avoir du pain sur la planche”

French idioms are full of colorful imagery, and avoir du pain sur la planche is no exception. While it literally means “to have bread on the board,” it’s not about baking—it’s all about having a ton of work ahead of you.

🔹 Where does it come from?

Back in the day, bread was made at home or by a local baker, and the loaves had to rest before baking—lined up on a wooden board. The more loaves waiting, the busier the day ahead. That image stuck: lots of bread on the board meant a lot of work still to do!

🔹 A go-to phrase for busy days

These days, this expression is used whenever your schedule is packed or your to-do list is getting out of hand. It works in any context, with or without a dash of humor.

💼 At work: “Entre les réunions, les e-mails et les dossiers à finir, j’ai du pain sur la planche cette semaine” → “(“Between meetings, emails, and deadlines, I’ve got a lot on my plate this week.”)

🏡 At home: “On a la famille qui débarque demain, et aucune chambre n’est prête… on a du pain sur la planche !” → (“The whole family’s arriving tomorrow and the house is a mess… we’ve definitely got our work cut out for us.”)

🎓 At school: “Deux partiels et un mémoire à rendre ? J’ai jamais eu autant de pain sur la planche…” → (“Two finals and a thesis due? I’ve never had so much going on at once!”)

🔹 Oddly reassuring?

Saying you’ve “got bread on the board” is also a reminder that you’ve got projects, momentum, things in motion. And hey—sometimes it’s better to be busy than bored, right?

What about you—got a full plate these days? Come share your chaotic schedules on my socials. Misery loves company (and so does motivation)! 😉

📚 Source consulted for this article:

Rey, Alain, et Sophie Chantreau. Avoir du pain sur la planche. In Dictionnaire des expressions et locutions, Dictionnaires Le Robert, 2003, p. 670.