off my plate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off my plate" is a correctly used phrase in English.
It is often used to refer to the completion of a task or responsibility. For example: "I'm glad to have that project off my plate and have some free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I clear off my plate.

The New York Times

He ate off my plate.

The New York Times - Style

I can handle my partner stealing a few chips off my plate, or sharing the remote, but sharing my space is a different matter altogether.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was happy for him to sleep in our bed, eat off my plate and gnaw my slippers, while my husband wanted rules and was appalled by the advancing tide of squalor and chaos.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What about an assistant that doesn't take things off my plate — but rather, wants to put things on it?

TechCrunch

Will you eat off my plate?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Some dietary adjustments come from outside sources: Ms. Pyland, in Abilene, said, "My little cousin Mary Kay Place, the actress, is always telling me not to eat stuff, but then she'll eat it right off of my plate".

The New York Times - Food

"Have you heard from them?" I clanked my fork on the table and it fell off the corner of my plate.

Huffington Post

What I really want is a guy to tell me that he wants to hold me for a little bit because he understands that I'm bloated from that lovely dinner he just treated me to and knows that I am conscious of my food baby stomach after eating a three-course meal because of course I polished off my whole plate of chocolate cake, and if he was a gentleman, a bite, or half, of his dessert as well.

Huffington Post

My parents used to tell me off for licking my plate, but if the food is good it's a great compliment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Two appetizers, in particular, seemed to lift my plate right off the table.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "off my plate" when you want to convey that you have successfully removed a task or responsibility from your list, suggesting relief or increased capacity.

Common error

Avoid using "off my plate" when referring to tasks that you are still indirectly responsible for. This phrase implies a complete removal of the burden, not just a delegation of effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off my plate" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to indicate the removal or completion of a task or responsibility, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "off my plate" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey the completion or removal of a task or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical usage is correct. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. When using the phrase, remember that it implies a complete removal of the burden, so it should not be used if you are still indirectly responsible. Related phrases include "remove from my responsibilities" and "delegate my tasks". Overall, "off my plate" is a useful idiom to express relief and a reduction in workload.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remove from my responsibilities

Indicates a shifting of duties away from the speaker.

delegate my tasks

Focuses on assigning responsibilities to others.

lighten my workload

Emphasizes reducing the amount of work one has.

clear my schedule

Highlights making time available by removing commitments.

free up my time

Suggests making more time available by eliminating tasks.

take a load off my mind

Focuses on alleviating mental burden or worry.

relieve me of this duty

A more formal way of asking for a task to be removed.

unburden myself of

Implies a conscious effort to get rid of a responsibility.

alleviate my burden

Similar to lighten my workload, but with a stronger emphasis on difficulty.

outsource the task

Suggests hiring someone else to complete the task.

FAQs

How can I use "off my plate" in a sentence?

You can use "off my plate" to describe tasks or responsibilities you've eliminated. For example, "I'm glad to get that project "off my plate" so I can focus on other priorities."

What does "off my plate" idiomatically mean?

Idiomatically, "off my plate" means that a task, responsibility, or worry has been removed or completed, freeing up one's time or mental space.

What are some alternative phrases to "off my plate"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "remove from my responsibilities", "delegate my tasks", or "lighten my workload", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "off my plate" in a formal context?

While generally acceptable, "off my plate" might be considered slightly informal. In highly formal settings, consider using alternatives like "relieve me of this duty" for a more professional tone.