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plan

plan

∞ 1.0
A set of steps arranged to reach a goal
  • noun
  • /plæn/
: plan
  • The only country to propose a peace plan was China.
  • a lesson plan
  • develop a plan
  • an action plan

Let's come up with a plan to do this.

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Examples

  • So it turns out that there was a plan in mind.

  • The next day, I wake up and my plan is to head home.

  • Because a dream without a plan is a wish.

  • OK, so that is our plan for the day.

  • Yeah, so, the plan is to get you back in the studio...

  • Let's come up with a plan to do this.

  • A chance conversation filled him in on plans for a large park in the middle of Manhattan.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The organization's membership is creating recovery plans for more than 500 of the threatened species.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Jim Mansell sets out an eight-point plan for preventing abuse in services for this client group.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We need to develop a clear plan to improve our sales this quarter.

Synonyms

program
vsplan
  • US
∞ 2.5

A planned set of services and projects to achieve a goal

focuses more narrowly on the arranged steps than on projects
strategy
vsplan
∞ 3.7

A plan to reach a goal, often used in business or games

is a neutral arranged set of steps without competitive emphasis
intention
vsplan
713 2.2

A plan or purpose for what you will do

is the concrete arranged actions that put that aim into practice
scheme
vsplan
474 3.9

A way of organizing work or thoughts

is a simpler set of actions rather than a full system
initiative
vsplan
435 3.5

A new plan to solve a problem or reach a goal

is the neutral sequence of actions, not focused on new initiatives
game plan
vsplan
79 3.7

A set of actions that helps a team or person reach a goal

is the plain arranged series of steps rather than a tactical method
73 3.6

A plan of steps to reach a goal

is an arranged set of steps to reach that goal
blueprint
vsplan
59 3.9

A detailed plan used as a guide to make or achieve something

is the practical sequence of actions that the model shows
road map
vsplan
37 3.5

A plan that shows steps to reach a goal

is the underlying arranged actions that the guide directs
roadmap
vsplan
24 3.5

A plan that shows the steps to reach a goal

is the basic arranged actions that the guide explains
16 3.4

A clear set of steps to reach a goal

is the general arranged steps used to achieve that goal
14 3.2

A set of planned actions to solve a problem or reach a goal

is the general arranged steps for any goal, not only conflict
preplan
vsplan
1 4.8

A plan made in advance for an event or emergency

is any arranged sequence of steps, not necessarily prepared early

Antonyms

512 3.1

A situation with no order where people are confused and cannot act normally

28 5.6

An act of making or doing something quickly without a plan to solve a problem

Idioms

22 5.6

A phrase people say to agree with a plan

A sudden problem that stops plans from happening

Plans often change when they face real problems

Compounds

79 3.7

A set of actions that helps a team or person reach a goal

57 4.0

A long guide for how to develop and manage a city or campus over many years

31 3.1

Money that an employer or worker saves regularly to give income after you stop working

A set of savings and investments that gives you money after you stop working

23 3.2

A drawing that shows where the rooms are on one level of a building

22 4.3

A plan people keep secret to do something wrong

17 2.1

A schedule for a trip that shows where and when to go

battle plan
  • Specialized
17 3.6

A plan for fighting that shows who will do what, where, and when

A clear set of steps to reach a goal

14 5.8

A large plan to give money and help to rebuild a country, like the US plan after World War II

A set of planned actions to solve a problem or reach a goal

401(k) plan
  • Specialized
10 3.5

A US retirement plan where workers save part of pay before tax and employers often add money, taxed when taken

best-laid plan
  • Informal
8 5.4

A careful plan that can still fail

treatment plan
  • Specialized
8 3.5

A list of medical steps and tests doctors use to help a patient get better

4 3.2

A way to pay by making small payments over time

4 4.1

A room with few dividing walls that makes one big space

3 2.9

An arrangement where a hotel includes meals each day with the room price

architectural plan
  • Specialized
2 3.9

A detailed drawing that shows the size, design, and layout of a building

2 5.0

A clever way to trick someone to get what you want

Money you regularly save to use after you stop working

1 7.4

A small elected group that runs a city government, each member managing one department

ground plan
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A drawing that shows the rooms on the ground floor of a building

1 4.3

A program that lets employees buy or get shares in their company to become part owners

Keogh plan
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A retirement savings plan for self-employed people that delays tax until you take the money out

stock purchase plan
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A plan that lets employees buy shares in their company, often at a lower price

A United States program that gave money to rebuild Western Europe after World War II

A program from an employer that lets workers save part of their pay for retirement or other future needs

1 5.6

A room price that includes three meals a day

retirement plan
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A plan to take equipment or software out of use and remove it safely

1 5.3

A way to buy something by paying small amounts regularly

1 3.2

A hotel offer that includes a room and some meals

bulletproof plan
  • Informal
1 3.9

A very secure plan that is not likely to fail

1 9.9

A government plan to help the economy that wastes a lot of money

A hotel rate that includes a full breakfast each day

A plan that has worked well in difficult real situations

9.0

A plan that uses buses to replace trains for a short time during track work

A hotel rate that includes a simple breakfast each morning but not other meals

bang-up plan
  • Informal
6.5

A very good plan that impresses people

A hotel price that covers only the room and not meals

McAmnesty plan
  • Literature
9.9

A proposed United States immigration law linked to John McCain that critics say forgives people living without legal papers

A hotel rate that includes breakfast and dinner but not lunch

How Detailed

blueprint
59 3.9
strategy
∞ 3.7
plan
∞ 1.0
to outline
188 3.3
idea
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

plan singular
plans plural

Etymology

Plan comes from the Latin word planus, which means 'flat', because people first used it for flat drawings or maps. Those drawings showed the steps to do something, so plan grew to mean a set of actions arranged to reach a goal.