game plan
Americannoun
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a carefully thought-out strategy or course of action, as in politics, business, or one's personal affairs.
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Sports. the overall strategy of a team for winning a specific game.
noun
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a strategy
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a plan of campaign, esp in politics
Etymology
Origin of game plan
First recorded in 1965–70
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"You feel for Arbeloa - his game plan was excellent, but a couple of moments cost Real Madrid."
From BBC • Apr. 15, 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
Miami tried to impose its game plan early, with several attacks down the right side of the field, and focused on making Messi the focal point of its attack.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2026
“Well, I guess that’s not in the game plan anymore.”
From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
