outlandish scheme

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outlandish scheme" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a plan or idea that is bizarre, extravagant, or difficult to believe. Example: "The inventor proposed an outlandish scheme to build a flying car powered by solar energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

So the former spy, running his network with money from unidentified donors, came up with an outlandish scheme that seems to come straight from the C.I.A.'s past playbook of covert operations.

The New York Times

Overcoming various obstacles including the arrival of Ocean's wife (Angie Dickinson)—the men pull off the outlandish scheme but run into trouble when they try to leave Las Vegas with the money.

Britannica

This priceless crime caper takes the disaster-prone burglar John Dortmunder to upstate New York, where he and his gang of goofs team up with some out-of-state con artists on an outlandish scheme to bamboozle two Indian tribes out of a piece of their casinos.

The New York Times - Books

"It is an outlandish scheme".

Los Angeles Times

Federal agents have acknowledged in court that they didn't know whether Crawford was serious about his outlandish scheme at first and in any case experts have said the ray gun would have been impractical even had it been constructed.

Vice

Each outlandish scheme proposed during the fun-run take, in which the actors ad-lib, has Samberg wound up and playing with what they've doled out (e.g., the script's mention of Tonya Harding becomes a one-liner about the ice skater turned tabloid staple that would make for a charming hand-stitched pillow: "Crazy in life, crazy in bed").. FULL COVERAGE: FALL TV Preview 2013.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The most outlandish schemes promised 25percentt interest a month; the most conservative and biggest scheme, Vefa, promised 8percentt.

The New York Times

What they shared was a rough charm that they used to persuade others to go along with what must often have seemed outlandish schemes.

The New Yorker

His descriptions of the dirt-poor Neapolitan aristocrats who fed him information, and their outlandish schemes for political reform, had me laughing for days on end.

The New York Times

Tells about some of his outlandish schemes to promote publicity for the various prizefighters he has handles, including Willard, Tunney, and Carpentier.

The New Yorker

For his part, Mr Rubin has described his project as a "moonshot" – the term Google applies to its slightly more outlandish schemes, such as self-driving cars and using a network of blimps to bounce internet signals to remote regions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outlandish scheme", ensure the context clearly establishes the plan's implausibility or bizarre nature. This prevents misinterpretations and reinforces the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "outlandish scheme" in highly formal or academic writing, where a more precise and neutral term like "unconventional plan" or "innovative approach" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outlandish scheme" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "outlandish" modifies the noun "scheme". It serves to describe a plan or project that is wildly unconventional or bizarre. As evidenced by Ludwig, it frequently qualifies initiatives viewed as impractical or imaginative.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Encyclopedias

16.66%

Wiki

16.66%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outlandish scheme" is used to describe plans that are wildly unconventional or bizarre. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct but relatively uncommon, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. It serves to express skepticism or disbelief about the practicality of a plan. While acceptable in general writing, it may be less suitable for highly formal or academic contexts where more neutral terms might be preferred. Consider alternatives like ""bizarre plan"" or ""implausible plan"" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bizarre plan

Replaces "outlandish" with "bizarre", emphasizing the strangeness of the plan.

implausible plan

Focuses on the lack of believability of the plan.

far-fetched idea

Highlights the unlikelihood of the idea being successful.

wild idea

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and imaginative nature of the idea.

preposterous plan

Stresses the absurdity of the plan.

ludicrous idea

Highlights the ridiculousness of the idea.

crazy scheme

Uses a more informal term to describe the plan.

unrealistic plan

Focuses on the impracticality of the plan.

absurd project

Highlights the nonsensical nature of the project.

fantastic plan

Implies the plan is based on fantasy or imagination.

FAQs

How can I use "outlandish scheme" in a sentence?

You can use "outlandish scheme" to describe a plan that is extremely unusual or improbable. For example: "The company proposed an outlandish scheme to transport water from Antarctica."

What is a good alternative to "outlandish scheme"?

Alternatives include "bizarre plan", "implausible plan", or "far-fetched idea", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "outlandish scheme" formal or informal?

"Outlandish scheme" leans towards a slightly informal register, suitable for news articles or general conversation but potentially less appropriate for formal academic writing.

What makes a scheme "outlandish"?

A scheme is considered "outlandish" when it is highly unconventional, improbable, or bizarre, often pushing the boundaries of what is considered reasonable or practical.