game plan

American  

noun

1. a carefully thought-out strategy or course of action, as in politics, business, or one's personal affairs.

2. Sports. the overall strategy of a team for winning a specific game.

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game plan British  

noun

1. a strategy

2. a plan of campaign, esp in politics

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Etymology

Origin of game plan

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Cronin’s previous outing was “Evil Dead Rise,” a sequel heavily devoted to the gooey game plan mapped out by Fede Alvarez’s 2013 rethink of Sam Raimi’s gross-out comedies.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

“Of the three people that would potentially make the call,” Marlins director of pitching Bill Hezel said, “only one of them has the actual game plan directly in front of him.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

In other words, that this was his game plan all along.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

Instead of listing three defensive keys before the game, coaches whittled the game plan to one focus: multiple efforts.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Coach would usually just talk about a game plan, then we’d play a fun little scrimmage, just so we could get all muddy.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

• blueprint
• scenario
• scheme
• strategy