Pronunciation: [hɐd fˈʊl plˈe͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The expression "had full plate" means to be busy or overloaded with tasks. In terms of spelling, "had" is pronounced /hæd/ with the 'a' sound like in "cat," while "full" is pronounced /fʊl/ with the 'u' sound like in "put." "Plate" is pronounced /pleɪt/ with the 'a' sound like in "play" and a silent 'e' at the end. The phrase is often spelled as "had a full plate," with the article 'a' included.
"Having a full plate" is an idiomatic expression that represents a state in which an individual is extremely busy or burdened with a multitude of tasks, responsibilities, or commitments. This phrase metaphorically suggests that the person's metaphorical "plate" is already full, indicating that there is no room for additional obligations or activities.
The term is often used in contexts that involve overwhelmed schedules, workloads, or ongoing commitments. When someone claims to have a "full plate," they imply that their current workload or set of responsibilities is already maximized, leaving little or no capacity for taking on further tasks or obligations.
This phrase is rooted in the concept of a physical plate used for serving food. Just as a plate can only hold a certain amount of food, an individual's time, energy, or mental capacity can only accommodate a certain number of tasks or responsibilities. The notion of having a "full plate" conveys the idea that the person is already utilizing their resources to the maximum, leaving no room for additional activities or commitments.
Overall, this expression is commonly used to indicate that one is extremely busy or overwhelmed with prior commitments, signaling their inability or unwillingness to take on more tasks or responsibilities at the present moment.
