hatched a plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hatched a plan" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone forming a plan or idea, usually for achieving a goal. For example: "After much deliberation, the team finally hatched a plan to increase their profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Army hatched a plan a decade ago for a new approach to fighting ground wars.

The New York Times

Which was when they hatched a plan.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Matos summoned other employees and hatched a plan.

The New York Times

Together they hatched a plan to ambush the Taliban.

The New York Times

He and a friend had hatched a plan.

The New York Times

Mr. Khuzami soon hatched a plan for overhauling — some officials called it dismantling — the enforcement division.

The New York Times

The priest called the school's benefactor and the two hatched a plan to get Ramos home.

The New York Times

Mr. Cartagena and Mr. Brockington crossed paths soon after and hatched a plan for revenge.

The New York Times

So he remained in town and hatched a plan to recruit volunteers for an independent command.

The New York Times

Recently, he hatched a plan for a user-generated database of folk recipes.

The New Yorker

During this time Yousef had also hatched a plan to assassinate Pope John Paul II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hatched a plan" to describe the initial stage of forming a strategy, especially when it involves creativity or secrecy. For example, "They hatched a plan to surprise their friend with a party".

Common error

Avoid using "hatched a plan" when referring to formal or official planning processes. This phrase often suggests a degree of informality or even mischief; use "developed a strategy" instead in professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hatched a plan" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of creating or devising a strategy. It often implies a degree of cleverness or secrecy in the planning process. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hatched a plan" is a common phrase used to describe the act of devising or creating a strategy, often with implications of cleverness or secrecy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal settings, and writers should consider more formal alternatives like "developed a strategy" in professional contexts. When you need a way to talk about a freshly made and, sometimes, a bit sneaky plan, "hatched a plan" is a great option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Designed a strategy

Implies a deliberate and thoughtful approach to creating a plan.

Conceived a strategy

Emphasizes the mental creation of a plan, often for a specific goal.

Devised a method

Highlights the creation of a specific process or technique to achieve something.

Developed a scheme

Focuses on a secret or underhanded plan.

Established a course of action

Emphasizes the formal setting of the plan to follow.

Formulated a project

Highlights a detailed plan for a specific task or undertaking.

Invented a tactic

Stresses the novelty and ingenuity of the plan.

Crafted a blueprint

Suggests a detailed and carefully constructed plan, like an architectural blueprint.

Arranged a setup

Focuses on preparing or organizing something, often in a covert or deceptive way.

Prepared an agenda

Highlights the listing of things to be done or considered at a meeting or activity.

FAQs

What does "hatched a plan" mean?

The phrase "hatched a plan" means to have devised or created a plan, often in a somewhat secretive or clever manner. It suggests the idea has been carefully considered and developed.

Is "hatched a plan" a formal expression?

No, "hatched a plan" is not a formal expression. It's better suited for informal contexts. In formal situations, consider using phrases like "developed a strategy" or "formulated a plan".

What can I say instead of "hatched a plan"?

You can use alternatives like "developed a scheme", "conceived a strategy", or "designed a strategy" depending on the context.

How to use "hatched a plan" in a sentence?

You can use "hatched a plan" like this: "After realizing they were in trouble, they hatched a plan to escape." Ensure the context is informal and the plan involves some degree of ingenuity or secrecy.