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Learn the origin and meaning of the phrase best-laid plans, coined by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1786. Discover how it influenced American author John Steinbeck and his novel Of Mice and Men.
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Learn the meaning and origin of the phrase 'the best-laid schemes of mice and men', which comes from a Scottish poet's reflection on fate and fortune. Find out how Burns' poem inspired John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men and other cultural references.
- The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men – Meaning
- How to Use “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men” in A Sentence
- The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men – Origin
- The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men – Similar Quotes
- Phrases That Mean The Opposite of “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”
- Correct Ways to Say “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”
- Incorrect Ways to Use “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”
- In What Situations Can You Use “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”?
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The phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men” essentially means that no matter how well prepared one may feel, their plans may still fall apart due to circumstances outside of their control. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. “Failing to plan is planning to fail”, as they say. And we suppose it’s true. The best way to ensure th...
The phrase should be used in a situation where, despite someone doing everything in their power to plan ahead, external forces have caused things to fall apart. 1. Person 1: I’ve been planning my wedding for three years, but the venue suddenly caught fire last week! 2. Person 2:How unfortunate! But there’s nothing you could have done. Sometimes, th...
“The best laid plans of mice and men” comes from a poem entitled “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns. The expression was then popularized by the 1937 novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. In the poem “To a Mouse”, a farmer expresses regret after accidentally destroying a mouse’s nest while plowing. The farmer addresses the mouse directly and exclaims...
There are a number of quotes that express similar sentiments to “the best laid plans of mice and men”: One is a popular Yiddish proverb: 1. We plan, God laughs. Another is a quote by Neil Young: 1. The devil fools with the best laid plans.
“The best laid plans of mice and men” suggests that we truly have no control over our lives despite how hard we try to take control through planning. The opposite of this would be any phrase that suggests that, through planning, we can achieve our pursuits. 1. An hour of planning can save you ten hours of doing. (Dale Carnegie) 2. There are dreamer...
It is correct to quote this phrase in full or to use a shortened version: 1. The best laid schemes of mice and men/gang aft agley. This is the original quote from “To a Mouse” in Scots-language. It can be used when quoting the poem. 1. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. 2. The best laid plans of mice and men. 3. The best laid plans.
The phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men” does not mean that men and mice were working together on a plan. It should not be used to suggest this. 1. Clarence and his pet mice were working on a new dress for fashion week, but I’m afraid it didn’t work out. They kept accidentally eating their materials. The best laid plans of mice and men, you...
You can use the phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men” when something in your life, or the life of someone else, has not worked out as planned. The phrase can be used to comfort someone by suggesting that when things don’t work out, it doesn’t mean anyone is to blame. Sometimes, life is simply unfair, and plans fall apart.
Learn the meaning and origin of the phrase "the best laid plans of mice and men", which means that no matter how well prepared one may feel, their plans may still fall apart due to circumstances outside of their control. See examples, similar quotes, and how to use the phrase correctly.
Learn the meaning and origin of the idiom "the best-laid plans", which means that careful planning cannot always prevent things from going wrong. See examples, alternative expressions, and pop culture references of this phrase.
Now thou’s turn’d out, for a’ thy trouble, But house or hald, To thole the Winter’s sleety dribble, An’ cranreuch cauld! But Mousie, thou art no thy-lane, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men. Gang aft agley,
The quote "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" means that even the most carefully made plans can fail. Written by Robert Burns in his poem To a Mouse in 1785, it...
Learn the meaning and origin of the proverb "the best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray", which means that even the most careful plans sometimes fail. See examples, synonyms and related expressions.
