To have a lot on your plate means having many tasks, responsibilities, or problems to deal with at the same time, so many it may be overwhelming.
The idiom compares responsibilities to food piled on a plate. If a plate is already full, it is hard to add anything more without making a mess.
The idiom compares responsibilities to food piled on a plate. If a plate is already full, it is hard to add anything more without making a mess.
She has a lot on her plate this week with exams, work, and family visits.