avoir du pain sur la planche

You use it just like a regular verb. You conjugate avoir to match who is busy. If you are busy, say j'ai du pain sur la planche. If your team is busy, say nous avons du pain sur la planche. It is a great way to sound more like a local. It replaces the boring je suis très occupé.

Use it when you start a big project. Use it on Monday mornings when your inbox is full. It works perfectly when you are talking about chores. If your house is a mess, you have bread on the board. It is also great for students during exam week. It sounds productive and slightly exhausted at the same time.

Do not use it for small, quick tasks. If you just need to buy milk, do not use it. It is for big, time-consuming efforts. Also, avoid it in very tragic situations. If someone is grieving, don't say they have 'bread on the board' to get over it. That would be very awkward. Stick to work, hobbies, or life goals.

This phrase has changed over time. In the 1800s, it actually meant you were rich! Having bread on the shelf meant you wouldn't starve. Later, it shifted to the idea of the baker's hard work. Bread is the heart of French life. Using it as a metaphor for work makes total sense. It shows that work is what puts food on the table.

You won't find many variations of the words themselves. However, people often sigh before saying it. A little 'Ouh là là' before the phrase adds extra flavor. You might also hear il y a du pain sur la planche for a general situation. It is a classic idiom that everyone in France knows and uses.