murderous plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "murderous plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scheme or strategy that involves killing or causing harm to others. Example: "The detective uncovered a murderous plan that had been devised by the criminal mastermind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Desperate for cash, Chris lets his dad in on a secret, murderous plan for easy money.

The Guardian - Film

"They were prepared to go all the way through with their destructive and murderous plan," Mr. Hickey said.

The New York Times

So I don't think the public would regard even disrupting that man's murderous plan to be overreach".

The Guardian

The mother's lover will proceed with his murderous plan, and a final song will end the intermissionless evening of about an hour and a half.

The New York Times

You applaud the resolution of the dilemma, when clever Portia comes up with the legal technicality that confounds Shylock's murderous plan.

The New Yorker

Disgraceful that the NY Tiimes should save Sunday's center editorial page location –read by millions for his murderous plan for the deer.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The rampage killers in the study, young and old, often talked for months in advance about their murderous plans.

The New York Times

They want to destroy Israel, plain and simple, so the only way to survive is to be stronger than them and thwart their murderous plans".

The Guardian - Opinion

Precisely how many Germans read it is not known but, say experts consulted for the play, the claim by many that they had never even opened it and therefore knew nothing of Hitler's murderous plans, is bogus.

The Guardian

Ms. Stone uses a remarkable vocal range in breathing life into a mythological character that is all too human: from a pleading and seductive tone in her manipulation of Creon and Aegeus she turns to hot-tempered fury in her confrontation with Jason, then finally expounds her murderous plans for revenge in an otherworldly voice that sounds like the demon in "The Exorcist".

The New York Times

The 22-year-old student killed six people and injured 13 more when he went on a gun and knife rampage in the college town of Isla Vista, southern California, and he detailed his rage and murderous plans in the 141-page document.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "murderous plan" when you want to emphasize the intent to kill as a central element of the scheme. It's stronger than simply saying "bad plan" if the death of someone is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "murderous plan" metaphorically when the context does not involve actual killing or serious harm. Overusing it can dilute its impact and sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "murderous plan" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "murderous" modifies the noun "plan". It describes a specific type of plan characterized by its intent to cause death. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "murderous plan" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe a scheme with the intention to kill. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is valid. It's categorized as an adjective-noun phrase with a neutral to formal register, most frequently found in news and media. While alternatives like "lethal scheme" or "deadly plot" exist, "murderous plan" distinctly emphasizes the intent to cause death, although you must be careful not to overuse it and dilute its impact if actual violence is not involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

homicidal scheme

Uses "homicidal" instead of "murderous", specifying the intent to cause death.

lethal scheme

Replaces "murderous" with "lethal", focusing on the deadly potential of the plan.

deadly plot

Substitutes "murderous" with "deadly", highlighting the fatal consequences of the plan.

fatal design

Replaces both "murderous" and "plan" with synonyms that imply a deadly intent and structure.

bloodthirsty scheme

Emphasizes the ruthlessness and eagerness for killing associated with the plan.

violent plot

Replaces "murderous" with "violent", broadening the scope to include any physically harmful actions.

nefarious design

Uses more formal and literary synonyms for "murderous" and "plan", respectively.

malicious strategy

Shifts the focus to the evil intent behind the plan, rather than just the act of murder.

evil scheme

Emphasizes the wickedness of the plan using the adjective "evil".

criminal plot

Highlights the illegal nature of the plan, moving away from the specific act of murder.

FAQs

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

You can use "murderous plan" to describe a scheme intended to cause death. For example: "The detective uncovered a "murderous plan" to poison the CEO."

What are some alternatives to "murderous plan"?

Alternatives include "lethal scheme", "deadly plot", or "homicidal scheme", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "murderous plan" too strong for describing a non-violent scheme?

Yes, "murderous plan" is generally too strong unless the plan explicitly involves killing. Consider using less extreme terms like "malicious strategy" or "evil scheme" /s/evil+scheme if violence isn't the core element.

What is the difference between "murderous plan" and "violent plot"?

"Murderous plan" specifically implies a plan to kill someone. "Violent plot" /s/violent+plot is broader and can include any plan involving physical harm, not necessarily resulting in death.