plan

plan¹ W1S1 [plæn] n

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1¦(intention)¦

2¦(method/arrangement)¦

3¦(map)¦

4¦(drawing)¦

5 plan A

6 plan B

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[Date: 1600-1700; : French; Origin: 'drawing of a building at ground level'; partly from Latin planum 'level ground', partly from French planter 'to plant']

1.) ¦(INTENTION)¦

something you have decided to do

▪ His plan is to get a degree in economics and then work abroad for a year.

▪ There's been a change of plan - we're not going to Ibiza after all.

▪ We don't have any plans for the weekend - why don't you come over?

▪ Julia's been busy making plans for (=preparing for) her wedding.

sb's best plan

BrE (=the best course of action)

▪ Your best plan would be to catch a taxi.

2.) ¦(METHOD/ARRANGEMENT)¦

a set of actions for achieving something in the future, especially a set of actions that has been considered carefully and in detail

▪ an ambitious economic recovery plan

plan for

▪ Managers denied there are any plans for a merger.

plan to do sth

▪ plans to turn the site of the factory into a park

keep/stick to a plan

▪ If we keep to the plan the work should be completed in two weeks.

work out/draw up/devise a plan

▪ They devised a plan to reduce costs.

▪ If everything goes according to plan (=happens in the way that was arranged) the first stage will be completed by December.

▪ Jane explained her plan of action .

3.) ¦(MAP)¦

a drawing similar to a map, showing roads, towns, and buildings

plan of

▪ a street plan of London

4.) ¦(DRAWING)¦

a) technical a drawing of a building, room, or machine as it would be seen from above, showing the shape, size, and position of the walls, windows, and doors

→↑elevation, ↑section¹ (7), ↑ground plan

b) a drawing that shows exactly how something will be arranged

▪ I have to organise a seating plan for the dinner.

5.) plan A

Plan A

your first plan, which you will use if things happen the way you expect

▪ We're going to find a restaurant and buy a meal. That's Plan A.

6.) plan B

Plan B

your second plan, which you can use if things do not happen the way you expect

▪ It's time to put Plan B into action.

plan ²

plan² W1S1 v past tense and past participle planned present participle planning

1.) [I and T]

to think carefully about something you want to do, and decide how and when you will do it

▪ He immediately began planning his escape.

▪ Talks are planned for next week.

▪ The wedding was fine and everything went as planned (=happened the way it had been planned) .

plan to do sth

▪ Maria didn't plan to kill Fiona. It was an accident.

plan ahead/plan for the future

▪ Now that you're pregnant you'll have to plan ahead.

2.) [T]

to intend to do something

plan to do sth

▪ He said he planned to write his essay tonight.

plan on doing sth

▪ When do you plan on going to Geneva?

▪ The former president is planning a return to politics.

3.) [T]

to think about something you are going to make, and decide what it will be like

= ↑design

▪ Planning a small garden is often difficult.

▪ The system needs to be planned carefully.

plan out [plan sth<=>out] phr v

to plan something carefully, considering all the possible problems

▪ I'll get the maps so we can plan out our route.

→↑planning