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Glite Dictionary
to deviate from the plan

to deviate from the plan

1 5.4
To do something different from the plan
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈdiːvieɪt frəm ðə plæn/
translation icon : desviarse del plan
  • You deviated from the plan.

And the best way to put my, my, you know, self in the best position to win is to not deviate from the plan.

Examples

  • I have to explain to these decision makers why I began a project two years ago and then, in the middle, realized that I couldn't do what I thought I could do—because I always have to adapt myself to the project, and then I always have to justify why I deviated from the plan.

    Academic text (2010)

  • When I to do a job, we don't deviate from the plan.

    The Extraordinary Ordinary (2019)

  • You deviated from the plan in a really big way.

    Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

  • We're deviating from the plan.

    Collar (2014)

  • If you deviate from the plan one little bit... I will kill your wife.

    Hostage (2005)

  • Never take the initiative, never strike out on your own, and never deviate from the plan.

    The Change-Up (2011)

  • You deviate from the plan in any minute detail, and the girl will die very badly.

    Savages (2012)

  • You didn't deviate from the plan, did you, Pollux?

    Face/Off (1997)

  • Couldn't we deviate from the plan for a little fried calamari?

    Blog text (9)

  • We cannot afford to deviate from the plan if we want to meet the deadline.

Synonyms

to disobey
vsto deviate from the plan
126 3.7

To refuse to follow rules or orders from someone in charge

means not following an intended course without authority or refusal implication
to depart
vsto deviate from the plan
  • Formal
62 4.1

To move away from a plan or the usual way

focuses on failing to follow an established course of action
to deviate
vsto deviate from the plan
51 5.8

To change direction or move away from a planned route

focuses specifically on not following an intended course of action
to diverge
vsto deviate from the plan
19 6.8

To move apart and also become different, like roads or opinions

applies to leaving a planned course rather than differing in opinion

Antonyms

to stick to the plan
21 3.0

Continue doing what everyone agreed without changing it

How Different

to abandon
401 3.8
to deviate from the plan
1 5.4
to adjust
317 2.7

Surface Forms

deviate from the plan infinitive
deviated from the plan past
deviated from the plan past participle
deviating from the plan present participle
deviates from the plan third person singular

Morphology

deviate + from + the + plan

The meaning 'to depart from or fail to follow the established plan' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'deviate' (to leave or diverge), 'from' (indicating origin/separation) and 'plan' (intended course). This is a regular verb + preposition + noun composition found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the component words should understand the MWE.

Etymology

Deviate from the plan creates the image of following a map or route and then turning off the road, because to deviate is to move away from the planned path. So, to deviate from the plan means 'to leave' the plan and do something different than was intended.