Son assiette dîne pour lui = He pays for his dinner whether he is present or not.
C’est un casseur d’assiettes = He is a swaggerer (a Mohock, in eighteenth century parlance).
C’est un pique-assiette = He is a parasite, a sponge.
L’assiette des impôts = The assessment of taxes.
Attache
Le pauvre homme est toujours (comme un chien) à l’attache = The poor man is a very slave, is compelled to work hard and constantly.
Attacher
*Attacher le grelot = To bell the cat.
[La Fontaine, Conseil tenu par les rats. For an explanation of the phrase see [Grelot].]
Attaquer