best laid plans en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
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 (text and reading of poem).
Meanings
- (idiomatic) A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the ability to fully or even partially execute them is uncertain.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| best laid plan | Number=Sing | lexicographic |