IdiomFood & Drink
French
FrenchAvoir du pain sur la planche
Meaning: To have a great deal of work ahead.
Literally: To have bread on the board
Example: “Avec trois cents copies à corriger, la prof a du pain sur la planche.” — With three hundred papers to grade, the teacher has her work cut out for her.
English equivalent: To have one's work cut out
Equivalents in other languages
English: have one's work cut out
Origin: The meaning inverted completely. It first meant having a stock of bread laid by and so nothing to worry about; by the 20th century it meant having the loaves still to bake. The modern sense is the opposite of the original.
More French idioms
- Être médusé To be struck dumb with astonishment.
- Motus et bouche cousue Not a word to anyone.
- À fleur de peau Raw and easily provoked, of emotions; or just at the surface.
- Avoir bon pied bon œil To be in excellent shape, especially for one's age.
- Avoir le pied marin To keep one's balance on a moving deck; to be unshaken by turbulence.
- Au pied levé At a moment's notice, with no preparation.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre Patience is rewarded in the end.
- Qui se ressemble s'assemble People tend to seek out others like themselves.
- L'avenir appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt Early risers, and hard workers in general, are the ones who succeed.
Keep exploring