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best laid plans

A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the outcome is uncertain.

Etymology:

  • Shortened form of “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”, translated from Scots “The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, / Gang aft agley,” from To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough by Robert Burns.
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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Translation

Find a translation for the best laid plans phrase in other languages:

أفضل الخطط الموضوعة

am besten gelegte Pläne

los mejores planes

सबसे अच्छी निर्धारित योजना

최고의 계획

melhores planos

лучшие планы

சிறந்த திட்டங்கள்

en iyi planlar

بہترین منصوبہ بندی

最佳计划

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to best laid plans

as best one canattack is the best form of defencebest thing since sliced breadat the best of timesgive it one's best shotbest thing since sliced panfirst in, best dresseda wild goose never laid a tame eggat bestbest betbest regardsbest-kept secretbest of the bunchexperience is the best teacher

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    "best laid plans." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/best-laid-plans_2351>.

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