¹plan

plan, design, plot, scheme, project mean a method devised for making or doing something or achieving an end. plan always implies mental formulation and sometimes graphic representation <plans for a house>. design often suggests a particular pattern and some degree of achieved order or harmony <a design for a new dress>. plot implies a laying out in clearly distinguished sections with attention to their relations and proportions <the plot of the play>. scheme stresses calculation of the end in view and may apply to a plan motivated by craftiness and self-interest <a scheme to defraud the government>. project often stresses imaginative scope and vision <a project to develop the waterfront>.

plan, plot, and scheme mean a method of making or doing something or achieving an end. plan is used when some thinking was done beforehand often with something written down or pictured. <The builder proposed a plan for a new school.> plot is used for a complicated, carefully shaped plan of several parts. plot can be used of the plan of a story. <It's a mystery story with a good plot.> It can also be used of a secret, usually evil plan. <The robbery plot was uncovered.> scheme is used when there is a tricky plan often for evil reasons. <The scheme to cheat people backfired.>