to plot

Examples

• All

• Now things have gotten so bad that Trump's allies are plotting an intervention.

• I listened in growing dismay, for they were plotting no less than robbery and murder.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Iran helped plot attack on Israel over several weeks.

• Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term.

• For 30 years, I have plotted to bring down the Party.

  Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

• The natives are plotting against us.

  Lady of Guadalupe (2020)

• He's plotting to destroy you.

  Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

• We find ourselves in precarious straits, and we must carefully plot our course of action.

  Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies (2012)

• Who knows what dastardly scheme... that villain may be plotting... even as we speak.

  The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

• The detective uncovered a group that was plotting to steal priceless artifacts.

Synonyms

C

to conspire

vsto plot

121 5.8

To secretly plan with other people to do something illegal or harmful

can be done alone or with others rather than requiring a group

C

to concoct

vsto plot

49 6.0

Make up a story or excuse to trick people

focuses more on secret planning for wrongdoing rather than mere invention of excuses

S

to scheme

vsto plot

41 6.5

To make secret plans to do something dishonest

focuses more on secrecy for illegal or harmful purposes specifically

H

to hatch

vsto plot

32 5.2

To make a plan in secret, often to surprise someone

emphasizes secret planning but adds stronger focus on illegal or harmful outcomes

M

to mastermind

vsto plot

21 7.4

To plan and direct a secret, difficult activity that is often illegal

often refers simply to secret planning without the leadership or complexity element

H

to hatch a plan

vsto plot

7 3.6

To make a secret or careful plan to do something

may stress illegal or harmful intent rather than careful development

C

to connive

vsto plot

• Formal

5 8.8

Secretly allow or help someone to do something wrong

specifically involves active secret planning rather than just allowing or supporting wrong

C

to cook up a plan

vsto plot

• Informal

1 4.4

To think of a clever or secret plan to do something

is more formal and centers on secret planning especially when harmful or illegal

H

to hatch a scheme

vsto plot

1 6.3

Plan something in secret, often to trick or surprise others

is simple secret planning and not necessarily focused on cunning or detail

M

to machinate

vsto plot

• Formal

1 9.9

To make secret plans to do something bad

is the general secret planning term not only for devious scheming

I

to intrigue

vsto plot

1 7.9

To secretly plan dishonest actions against others

is broader covering secret planning especially with illegal or harmful intent

C

to coconspire

vsto plot

9.7

To plan secretly with others to do something illegal

can be done alone and does not require joint actors

C

to collogue

vsto plot

• Archaic

9.9

To meet secretly to plan something dishonest

emphasizes the act of secret planning itself rather than private discussion

Antonyms

R

to reveal

∞ 2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

Idioms

T

the plot thickens

9 7.1

A situation that gets more complicated or interesting because of new information

A

all for the plot

• Literature

9.3

Events that happen mainly to move the story forward, even if they do not make sense

Compounds

P

plot of land

12 3.0

A small piece of ground for growing plants or building on

P

plot line

11 3.2

The main story of a book, film, or play

P

plot element

2 3.7

A part of a story that helps the action move forward

P

plot of ground

• UK

1 2.3

A small piece of land used for growing plants

G

Gunpowder Plot

1 8.2

A failed 1605 plan to blow up Parliament and kill the king, led by Guy Fawkes

P

plot line

• Specialized

1 3.5

The line on a graph that shows how a number changes over time

P

plot armor

• Jargon

1 9.1

A story idea that keeps a character safe for no real reason

P

plot element

• Specialized

3.4

A shape, line, or label on a chart that shows data

How Secretive

to mastermind

21 7.4

to conspire

121 5.8

to plot

132 4.8

to scheme

41 6.5

to plan

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology