plan B
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of plan B
First recorded in 1975–80; from the assumption that the original plan is “plan A”
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.
“We always spoke about plan B, but actually plan B is not enough on its own anymore,” says Dominic Volek, Henley’s group head of private clients.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
If the 43-year-old declines then Palace will move on to plan B.
From BBC ● May 28, 2026
But after she and a colleague were denied raises in 2020, the final setback in a string of frustrations, she started looking for a plan B.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
For that reason, you should have a plan A, plan B and plan C, and write down the pros and cons of each one.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 21, 2026
“I knew it. We were your plan B for this weekend.”
From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio
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.
