devious plan

USAGE SUMMARY

"devious plan" is an grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a cunning or clever plan that often has a nefarious motive behind it. For example: "The villain hatched a devious plan to steal the treasure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Their devious plan may require seduction, and Lilly quickly realizes that this will be Bart's job, not hers.

The New York Times

Live TV was conceived as a devious plan to get football on to cable, but that didn't work - and after that, it just turned into a joke".

The Guardian

In an unguarded moment in the campaign, Mr. Bush said he had a "devious plan" for dealing with the class-size issue if the measure was approved.

The New York Times

For all the report suggested about Armstrong's key role in what the agency called a team-orchestrated doping scheme, it also rendered rare and vivid portraits of individual athletes caught up in a devious plan to cheat and win.

The New York Times - Sports

A con artist, calling himself Count Fujiwara, hatches a devious plan that sees him working alongside pickpocket Sook-hee to steal the many riches of beautiful heiress Lady Hideko.

The Guardian - Film

The front page article ("Profile of a Land Deal," March 7) implies that Town Hall abetted a devious plan to give a local developer windfall profits at the expense of the longtime owners of the Schultz Cider Mill property.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In October, he was even recorded, unawares, saying he had "devious plans" to block the plan if it passed.

The New York Times

Eventually, when the full extent of her devious plans are revealed, the girls are shipped off to a horrific boarding school.

The Guardian

In his campaign, Mr. Bush, unaware that a reporter with a tape recorder was present, said in a private meeting with backers that he had "a couple of devious plans if this thing passes".

The New York Times

The political waters were further roiled this month when Governor Bush was taped saying he had "devious plans" if the amendment passed -- a statement for which he has since apologized.

The New York Times

Captain in Calico features the unscrupulous Rackham when he returns from the high seas to ask the governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers, for a royal pardon, and the governor sees his chance to put his own devious plans into action.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "devious plan", ensure that the context clearly establishes who is devising the plan and who is potentially affected by it. This provides clarity and enhances the reader's understanding of the situation.

Common error

While "devious plan" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional documents. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "strategic initiative" or "calculated approach" when describing legitimate business or academic strategies to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devious plan" functions as a noun phrase where "devious" is an adjective modifying the noun "plan". It describes a specific type of plan characterized by cunning and underhandedness, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devious plan" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a cunning or underhanded scheme. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound and widely used, it's important to consider the formality of the context when choosing this phrase. Alternatives such as "cunning scheme" or "underhanded plot" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to overuse it in formal writing, where more neutral alternatives might be better suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cunning scheme

Changes "plan" to "scheme" and "devious" to "cunning", emphasizing cleverness and trickery.

underhanded plot

Replaces "devious" with "underhanded" and "plan" with "plot", highlighting the secretive and dishonest nature of the scheme.

sneaky strategy

Substitutes "devious" with "sneaky" and "plan" with "strategy", focusing on the covert and tactical aspects.

dishonest scheme

Replaces "devious" with "dishonest", directly emphasizing the lack of integrity.

conniving plot

Changes "devious" to "conniving" and "plan" to "plot", conveying manipulative intent.

scheming behavior

Shifts from a specific plan to a pattern of behavior, using "scheming" as an adjective.

manipulative tactic

Replaces "devious" with "manipulative" and "plan" with "tactic", underlining the control aspect.

crafty design

Substitutes "devious" with "crafty" and "plan" with "design", highlighting the skill and ingenuity involved.

treacherous ploy

Changes "devious" to "treacherous" and "plan" to "ploy", suggesting danger and betrayal.

unscrupulous tactic

Substitutes "devious" with "unscrupulous" and "plan" with "tactic", emphasizing a lack of moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "devious plan" in a sentence?

You can use "devious plan" to describe a cunning or underhanded scheme. For example: "The villain hatched a "devious plan" to steal the treasure".

What are some synonyms for "devious plan"?

Alternatives include "cunning scheme", "underhanded plot", or "sneaky strategy".

Is "devious plan" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "devious plan" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "strategic initiative" or "calculated approach" in professional settings.

What is the difference between "devious plan" and "evil plan"?

"Devious plan" implies cunning and trickery, while "evil plan" suggests malevolence and wickedness. A "devious plan" might aim to deceive, whereas an evil plan intends to cause harm.