figure on

British  

verb

1. to depend on (support or help)

2. to take into consideration

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figure on Idioms  

1. Depend on, count on, as in We figured on your support .

2. Take into consideration, expect, as in We figured on his being late .

3. Plan, as in We'll figure on leaving at noon . All three colloquial usages date from about 1900.

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Example Sentences

In later years, though, he became a sad self-parody, agreeing to play a Simon Cowell-ish figure on a reality show called “Art Fight” in which he spent all of his energy thinking up comic insults.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

And this year at Camelback Ranch, the 25-year-old has cut a distinct figure on the mound as he works on his consistency and pitch mix.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Thirty-six dancers with raised arms glide slowly forward as they encircle their prey, a lone figure on a red table in a climactic scene from Ravel's "Bolero" choreographed by Maurice Bejart.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Johnny Gaudreau, known to fans as “Johnny Hockey,” had been a standout NHL winger and a beloved figure on the international stage.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2026

He watched the man, moving like a figure on the screen in close-up slow motion, come out of the hole and stand with his back to him, flashlight in hand.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

Related Words

• aim
• contemplate
• design
• designate
• destine
• expect
• mean
• plan
• propose
• resolve
• think
• try