Meaning & use
devious scheme
Last updated
Meanings
phrasecountable
A secret plan that is dishonest or unfair, made to trick people or get an advantage.
Grammar: Countable phrase: you can say 'a devious scheme' or 'devious schemes'.
Patterns
- a devious scheme to do something
- come up with a devious scheme
- be involved in a devious scheme
The two managers came up with a devious scheme to hide the missing money.
She realized too late that the offer was just a devious scheme to take her savings.
Police uncovered a devious scheme involving fake charity websites.
phrasecountablefigurative
A clever but indirect plan that uses unusual or complicated methods.
Grammar: Used when the focus is on cleverness rather than clear dishonesty; still countable.
Patterns
- a devious scheme for doing something
- design a devious scheme
- use a devious scheme
The writer invented a devious scheme for his hero to escape from prison.
Their devious scheme for winning the contest involved swapping the answer sheets.
He enjoys devising devious schemes in board games.
Word forms
| plural | devious schemes |
|---|
Common combinations
- hatch a devious scheme
- The villains hatched a devious scheme in the basement.
- a devious scheme to do something
- They had a devious scheme to avoid paying taxes.
- uncover a devious scheme
- The journalist uncovered a devious scheme at the bank.
- a devious scheme backfires
- Their devious scheme backfired when the police were called.
- a devious scheme involving someone
- It was a devious scheme involving several company officials.
Synonyms and how they differ
- plot
- A plot is often a secret plan to do something harmful, especially in stories; it can be more serious than a devious scheme.
- trick
- A trick is a single clever action to deceive someone, while a devious scheme is usually a longer, more complicated plan.
- conspiracy
- A conspiracy is a secret plan by a group, often illegal; it is more formal and stronger than a devious scheme.
- ruse
- A ruse is a clever trick used to hide your real purpose; it is often a single action, not a full plan.
Word family
- deviously adverb
- In a dishonest or indirect way.
- deviousness noun
- The quality of being dishonest or indirect.
- schemer noun
- A person who makes secret, often dishonest plans.
- scheming adjective
- Often making secret, dishonest plans.
Commonly confused: devious scheme or deviant? devious scheme or previous?
devious scheme vs deviant
Deviant means different from what is considered normal or acceptable, especially in sexual or social behavior; devious means dishonest or indirect.
devious scheme vs previous
Previous means coming before in time; devious means dishonest or indirect. They sound somewhat similar but are unrelated.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'devious scheme' most naturally?
Choose one answer.
'Devious scheme' means a dishonest secret plan, so it fits with cheating on an exam. The other options use it with things that cannot be plans, such as weather, clothing, or a vehicle.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “devious scheme”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.