plan fell through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plan fell through" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a plan or arrangement has failed or been canceled. Example: "We were all set to go on vacation, but unfortunately, our plan fell through due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Tells about a scheme he had to convert Europe to alcohol-fuel and how this plan fell through, as well as describing his yacht racing.

The New Yorker

Once the site was cleared, the initial redevelopment plan fell through, as did several subsequent plans, leaving the block vacant and undeveloped for nearly a generation.

Wikipedia

The plan fell through.

The Guardian - Books

This plan fell through with complete loss.

The New Yorker

But each time, the plan fell through.

The New York Times

The plan fell through after the financial crash.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

If the plan falls through, the existing embassy would probably be renovated, he added.

Independent

Something rubs you the wrong way, a plan falls through, your deadline is changed.

Huffington Post

But if that plan falls through, why not try ingesting some balls of unbridled caffeine fury instead?

Vice

Let them be resolved by the FAA". The unintended consequence of the El Toro plan falling through, Nestande said, could be increased flights out of John Wayne Airport.

Los Angeles Times

Ambitious expansion plans fell through.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plan fell through" when you want to clearly and concisely communicate that a specific plan was unsuccessful. It's suitable for various contexts, from informal conversations to news reports.

Common error

Avoid using "plan fell through" if the plan was modified or changed rather than completely abandoned. Ensure the context implies a complete failure, not just an alteration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plan fell through" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a previously made plan did not succeed or was canceled. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plan fell through" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a plan has failed or been canceled. Ludwig confirms its usability across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, and less so in academic or business settings. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the reason for the plan's failure. Consider alternative phrases like "plan failed" or "plan was unsuccessful" for slightly different nuances. Be sure to differentiate it from instances where a plan is merely delayed or altered, rather than completely abandoned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plan failed

A more direct and simpler way of stating that a plan did not succeed.

plan didn't work out

A more informal way to express that a plan was unsuccessful.

plan was unsuccessful

A formal way to state that a plan did not achieve its intended outcome.

plan collapsed

Suggests a more dramatic or sudden failure of a plan.

plan was aborted

Implies that the plan was intentionally stopped before completion.

project was scrapped

Indicates the plan was discarded or canceled.

plan came to naught

A more literary or old-fashioned way of saying a plan failed.

scheme backfired

Suggests the plan not only failed but had negative consequences.

initiative faltered

Suggests the plan lost momentum or strength, leading to its failure.

hopes were dashed

Focuses on the disappointment resulting from the failure of the plan.

FAQs

How can I use "plan fell through" in a sentence?

You can use "plan fell through" to indicate that a previously made arrangement or scheme did not succeed. For example, "Our vacation plan fell through due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a more formal alternative to "plan fell through"?

A more formal alternative could be "the plan was unsuccessful" or "the initiative faltered". You could also say that the "plan failed".

Is it correct to say "the plans fell through"?

Yes, "the plans fell through" is grammatically correct when referring to multiple plans that did not succeed.

What's the difference between "plan fell through" and "plan was delayed"?

"Plan fell through" means the plan was canceled or failed completely. "Plan was delayed" means the plan is still in place but will happen at a later time.