made the plane

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made the plane" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is referring to the act of constructing or creating an aircraft, or metaphorically in other contexts. Example: "The engineers worked tirelessly and finally made the plane ready for its first flight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

We made the plane.

The New York Times

Amazingly, I even made the plane home.

The Guardian - Travel

So the question was: What had made the plane explode?

The New Yorker

They made the plane turn around to go back to New York.

The New York Times

Once Robbo made the plane for Mexico, we just sat back and hoped for the best.

The Guardian - Sport

Later, she made the plane reservations for her trips because she spoke the best English in the household.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

This made the planes quieter and improved fuel efficiency, he said.

The New York Times

Another defendant, Boeing, which made the planes involved in the hijackings, also promised a prompt appeal.

The New York Times

He'll do well to make the plane now.

The Guardian - Sport

This incremental methodology makes the plane segmentation fast.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

But having the engine come off the plane does not generally make the plane break up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made the plane" when you want to convey successfully boarding an aircraft or ensuring an aircraft's readiness for flight. It's commonly understood and suitable for various contexts from casual to professional.

Common error

Avoid using "made the plane" when intending to describe the cause of a plane crash or malfunction; instead, use phrases like "caused the plane to crash" or "contributed to the plane's failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made the plane" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It usually signifies either successfully boarding a flight or, less commonly, being responsible for the creation or condition of an aircraft. Ludwig AI validates this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made the plane" is a common expression that signifies either successfully boarding a flight or ensuring an aircraft's readiness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, its register remains neutral, suitable for diverse communication scenarios. To enhance clarity, avoid using it to describe the cause of a plane crash; instead, opt for more specific phrases like "caused the plane to crash". Alternatives such as "caught the flight" or "managed to board" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caught the flight

Focuses specifically on catching a flight, similar to "made the plane" in the context of travel.

managed to board

Highlights the act of successfully boarding the aircraft.

arrived on time for the flight

Specifies arriving in time for boarding, implying successful travel planning.

secured a seat on the aircraft

Highlights getting a seat, indicating travel success.

guaranteed passage on the flight

Highlights securing a spot on the flight.

prepared the plane

Emphasizes the action of readying the plane for departure.

saw to it that the plane departed

Emphasizes ensuring the plane's departure.

ensured the aircraft was ready

Focuses on the preparation aspect of an aircraft's readiness.

engineered the airplane

Relates to the construction or design of the plane.

caused the plane to

Implies being responsible for a plane's action or state.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "made the plane"?

It typically means that someone successfully boarded a flight or ensured that an aircraft was ready for its scheduled departure.

Is "made the plane" an idiom?

While not a formal idiom, "made the plane" is a common expression that implies successfully boarding a flight or ensuring its readiness.

What can I say instead of "made the plane" to indicate I caught a flight?

You can use alternatives like "caught the flight", "managed to board", or "arrived on time for the flight" depending on the context.

How can I use "made the plane" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite the heavy traffic, we still made the plane on time."