plot

Related to plot: plot of land

addle-plot

obsolete One who disrupts or interferes with someone else's plans or enjoyment. If you want to have a good time, we can't invite that addle-plot. Father won't let us take the horses out today? What an addle-plot.

brew a plot

To conspire; to devise a secret plan. What are you kids whispering about back there? You better not be brewing a plot! My siblings and I are brewing a plot to surprise our parents with a trip for their anniversary.
See also: brew, plot

kudzu plot

Any long-form narrative that branches off in many different, meandering directions in a manner that is overly or needlessly complicated, especially when they ultimately fail to be resolved in a meaningful or satisfying way. A reference to the kudzu, or East Asian arrowroot plant, an invasive vine that spreads rapidly. The author was so focused on world-building that he has ended up creating an impenetrable kudzu plot that, at this point, is more arduous than it is entertaining. It felt like the TV series was devolving into an overwrought kudzu plot at times, but the skilled creative team has wrapped the whole thing up in one of the most thrilling and satisfying conclusions in TV history.
See also: plot

lose the plot

1. To act in a disorganized, chaotic, or irrational manner. Primarily heard in UK. Roger seems to have lost the plot ever since his wife died. I'm sorry about last night. I had one too many drinks and just lost the plot.
2. To lose focus on one's primary objective, principle, or task. Primarily heard in UK. Our co-op had a really promising start, but we started catering to individuals too much instead and eventually lost the plot.
See also: lose, plot

plot (something) on (something)

To trace or draw a route or path on top of or along something. We plotted a way home on a scrap of paper we found in my bag. Using the stars as a compass, we were able to plot a course on the map we'd brought with us.
See also: on, plot

plot (something) out

1. Literally, to plot data points on a graph. If you plot the equation out, you can see that it will approach zero for infinity without ever reaching it. After plotting the results out, it becomes clear that there is definite correlation between the two variables.
2. To create a detailed course or path by which to travel. We need to plot our path out before we start the hike, or we could end up getting lost. The navigation systems on the ship plot out our course automatically, but we can use these charts and the stars in the sky in case the computers fail.
3. To establish or devise the way in which one will do something. We brought together the heads of the departments to plot out the company's course for the next fiscal year. I think we should plot a strategy out in case this turns into a full-blown scandal.
See also: out, plot

plot against (something or someone)

To join together to form a scheme or plot to foil or defeat someone or something. The group was arrested for plotting against the monarch. His two younger brothers plotted against him to have him removed from the head of the company.
See also: plot

plot with (one)

To conspire, scheme, or make plans with one. I could hear Marcus plotting with his friend Jacob in the basement to go on some grand adventure in the mountains together. He was convicted of treason after being discovered plotting with enemy soldiers.
See also: plot

the plot thickens

cliché A situation or set of circumstances has become more complex, mysterious, interesting, or difficult to understand. A: "This whole time I presumed he was working for my father, but it turns out my father has never heard of him!" B: "Ooh, the plot thickens!" Now the plot thickens, as police have opened a line of inquiry into the governor's whereabouts on the date of the incident.
See also: plot, thicken
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

brew a plot

Fig. to plot something; to make a plot. The children brewed an evil plot to get revenge on their teacher. We brewed a plot so that we would not have to help with dinner.
See also: brew, plot

plot against someone or something

to make a scheme against someone or something. All the counselors plotted against the czar. We plotted against the opposing party.
See also: plot

plot something on something

to draw a route or outline on something. He plotted the course they would be taking on a map of the area. The captain plotted the course on a chart of the upper reaches of the Nile.
See also: on, plot

plot something out

to map something out; to outline a plan for something. I have an idea about how to remodel this room. Let me plot it out for you. I plotted out my ideas for the room.
See also: out, plot

plot thickens

Things are becoming more complicated or interesting. The police assumed that the woman was murdered by her ex-husband, but he has an alibi. The plot thickens. John is supposed to be going out with Mary, but I saw him last night with Sally. The plot thickens.
See also: plot, thicken

plot with someone

to scheme with someone. Mary looks as though she is plotting with Jerry to make some sort of mischief. I am not plotting with anyone. I am planning everything myself.
See also: plot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

plot thickens, the

Circumstances are becoming very complex or mysterious. Today this term is often used ironically or half-humorously, as in His companion wasn't his wife or his partner-the plot thickens. Originally (1671) it described the plot of a play that was overly intricate, and by the late 1800s it was used for increasingly complex mysteries in detective stories.
See also: plot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

lose the plot

INFORMAL
COMMON If someone loses the plot, they become confused or crazy, or no longer know how to deal with a situation. Vikram's working so many hours as a junior doctor he's losing the plot completely and keeps mumbling about the people he's killed by falling asleep on the job. Famous people may be reluctant to link themselves with a store group that seems to have lost the fashion plot.
See also: lose, plot

the plot thickens

People say the plot thickens when a situation or series of events starts to become even more complicated or strange. The plot thickens when he finds diamonds worth 6m euros hidden in a box of salt in the dead man's room. At this point the plot thickened further. A link emerged between the attempt to kill the Pope and the kidnapping of the American. Note: This phrase was widely used in 19th century melodramas, or popular plays that involved extreme situations and extreme emotions, and is now used humorously
See also: plot, thicken
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

lose the plot

lose your ability to understand what is happening; lose touch with reality. informal
1997 Spectator The truth is that we've lost the plot of great painting and have entered a new phase in which the criteria for judging work are…demonstrably shallow and trivial.
See also: lose, plot

the plot thickens

the situation becomes more difficult and complex.
This expression comes from The Rehearsal ( 1671 ), a burlesque drama by George Villiers , 2nd Duke of Buckingham: ‘now the plot thickens very much upon us’.
See also: plot, thicken
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lose the ˈplot

(British English, informal) lose your ability to understand or deal with what is happening: You should have seen Jimmy yesterday. I really thought he’d lost the plot! OPPOSITE: get your act together
See also: lose, plot

the plot ˈthickens

(often humorous) used to say that a situation is becoming more complicated and difficult to understand: Aha, so both Karen and Steve had the day off work yesterday? The plot thickens!
See also: plot, thicken
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

plot against

v.
To establish a plan to overthrow or ruin someone or something: The spies plotted against the government.
See also: plot

plot out

v.
1. To place something on a graph: The students plotted out the equation and determined that it was a parabola. We determined the coordinates and plotted them out on the graph.
2. To establish some plan, path, or course: We plotted out the best route through the mountains. The captain plotted the ship's course out on the chart.
3. To make a thorough analysis of some plan: The governor met with his top advisers to plot out a new strategy. Before we started the company, we spent six months just plotting it out.
See also: out, plot
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

plot thickens, the

The situation is becoming increasingly complex. Originally the term was used to describe the plot of a play that was becoming byzantine in its complexity; it was so used by George Villiers in his 1672 comedy The Rehearsal (3.2). It was repeated by numerous writers and became particularly popular in mystery novels, from Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet (1887) on. Today it is often used sarcastically or ironically of some situation that is needlessly complex but scarcely meets the description of a sinister plot.
See also: plot
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • addle-plot
  • give (one) a hard time
  • give a hard time
  • life of the party
  • life of the party, the
  • the life of the party
  • get a kick out of (someone or something)
  • get a kick out of someone/something
  • get a kick out of something
  • get a buzz out of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Through their lawyer F.N Otieno, the trader argued that the plan was aimed at preparing grounds to nullify the ownership of the plots.
Court stops Nandi from repossessing plots for public use
An upward revision has also been proposed for subdivision of plots in all categories.
LDA service delivery charges to increase manifold
He further said shortage of surveyed land also resulted in the sub-land board failing to allocate commercial or civic and community plots.
Lack of surveyed land delay allocation
[The President said there was a plot. He did not say that there was military or PNP support.
Palace backs Lorenzana: No credible ouster plot vs Duterte
By STANLEY NGOTHO If your plan is to own a piece of land in Kajiado County or you already have one, be on the lookout following revelations that cartels are targeting unsuspecting clients wishing to settle in the vast region.It has also emerged that houses worth hundreds of millions of shillings might be demolished in all satellite towns in Kajiado after buyers were duped into purchasing urban centre plots owned by other people.
Homeowners risk eviction in Kajiado over fake land deals
Larger plots of over 4 acres, unless they are planted in long strips, do not give the animals enough security to venture into them.
Food plots offer year-round benefits to animals
In the B block of the society, plot B-1 with a size of 30 marlas is allotted to Auqaf secretary Irshadul Haq Kiyani and illegal boundary walls and 4 rooms have been constructed at the site.
Rs35bn land allotment scam surfaces in Auqaf dept
The residents gathered outside the Karachi Press Club to protest against the occupation of the plots in Block 10 and 11 of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
Victims protest against 'land mafia' in Gulistan-e-Jauhar
The PTI leader had submitted an application with the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) in February 2017 seeking recovery of his plot. He had alleged that the plot was sold by KDA officials through china-cutting.
Land mafia continues to seize President Arif Alvi's plot in Karachi
Meanwhile, housing plot allocation in Al Wusta dropped by 48.3% to 424.
Housing plot allocation rises by a third in Oman
The first day of the auction process was attended by a large number of people who enthusiastically participated in the auction process to get plots of their choices.
CDA auctions 11 plots on first day of auction
First, they are small enough, at around a quarter to a half acre, that any deer that enters the plot is likely to wind up within bow range.
Micro-plot mania: the exploding popularity of pint-sized food plots
Some plot holders claim the new arrangements will see their costs as much as double.
Allotment holders face sharp rise in annual fees
Utilizing a lethal set of buck harvest plot tactics have enabled me and many other hardcore whitetail fanatics to connect with tough nocturnal brutes from a variety of hunting environments and locations.
Plotting the kill: with the right game plan, you can employ food plots as a key tool in bagging mature bucks
On the second day of auction on Wednesday, CDA offered nine commercial plots for auction and out of them five were sold, which included three commercial plots of different sizes in Sector G-11, D-12 and I-16, a Class-III Shopping Centre plot in Sector G-11 and a commercial plot in Industrial and Trade Centre, G-10.
CDA earns Rs 630m from plots' auction