plan B

American  

Or Plan B

noun

1. a strategy or plan to be implemented if the original one proves impracticable or unsuccessful.

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Etymology

Origin of plan B

First recorded in 1975–80; from the assumption that the original plan is “plan A”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

plan B

“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

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

And that brings us to another issue - the lack of a plan B if the line crumbles again.

From BBC ● Feb. 14, 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

“Maybe the flagpole could be a plan B when there isn’t the threat of storms, because avoiding tall metal poles is actually a good rule of thumb when lightning may be in the picture.”

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers

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Related Words

• contingency

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