Meaning & use
plot
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The series of events that make up a story in a book, film or play.
Grammar: Often singular: the plot of the film.
Patterns
- the plot of something
- follow the plot
- lose the plot
The plot of the novel centers on a missing painting.
I couldn't follow the plot because the film jumped around in time.
The show has a clever plot with a surprise ending.
nouncountable
A secret plan by several people to do something illegal or harmful.
Grammar: Often followed by to and a verb: a plot to overthrow the king.
Patterns
- a plot to do something
- a plot against someone
- uncover a plot
Police uncovered a plot to rob the bank.
The king's advisers hatched a plot against him.
The plot failed when one of the members confessed.
nouncountable
A small area of ground used for growing things or building on.
Grammar: Often used with a use word: a vegetable plot.
Patterns
- a plot of land
- a vegetable plot
She grows beans on a small plot behind the house.
They bought a plot of land near the lake.
Each family is given a garden plot at the community center.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To plan something secretly, especially to harm someone or break a law.
Grammar: Takes an object (plot a robbery) or stands alone with against (plot against someone).
Patterns
- plot to do something
- plot against someone
- plot something
They plotted to take over the company.
The rebels plotted in secret for months.
Two friends plotted a surprise party.
verbtransitivetechnical
To mark points or a path on a map, chart or graph.
Grammar: Always has an object: plot the data.
Patterns
- plot something on a graph
- plot a course
The captain plotted a course across the bay.
Students plotted the results on a graph.
Scientists plotted the storm's path on a map.
Word forms
| plural | plots |
|---|---|
| third person singular | plots |
| past tense | plotted |
| past participle | plotted |
| -ing form | plotting |
Common combinations
- hatch a plot
- The pair hatched a plot to trick their rivals.
- the plot thickens
- The plot thickens when a second letter arrives.
- lose the plot
- By the end of the meeting, he had lost the plot.
- plot a course
- The pilot plotted a course around the storm.
- a garden plot
- He tends a garden plot at the allotment.
Synonyms and how they differ
- storyline
- Storyline is a close equivalent of the story sense, but it is used less for scheming or land.
- conspiracy
- A conspiracy is a secret plan by a group, usually serious or political, so it sounds heavier than plot.
- scheme
- A scheme can be clever or dishonest and is not always illegal, unlike a plot, which usually threatens harm.
- lot
- A lot is a measured piece of land for sale or building, while plot also suits a garden.
Word family
Commonly confused: plot or plod?
plot vs plod
To plod is to walk slowly and heavily. It sounds close to plot but is unrelated.
Practice
The guards discovered a ___ to steal the crown jewels.
Choose one answer.
A plot is a secret scheme, often illegal, and takes to plus a verb. Plan is neutral and not necessarily secret, and plod is a verb meaning to walk slowly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “plot”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.