Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense plots, present participle plotting, past tense, past participle plotted
1. countable noun [usually NOUN to-infinitive]
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong, usually against a person or a government.
Security forces have uncovered a plot to overthrow the government.
He was responding to reports of an assassination plot against him. [+ against]
Synonyms: plan, scheme, intrigue, conspiracy More Synonyms of plot
2. verb
If people plotto do something or plot something that is illegal or wrong, they plan secretly to do it.
Prosecutors in the trial allege the defendants plotted to overthrow the government. [VERB to-infinitive]
The military were plotting a coup. [VERB noun]
They are awaiting trial on charges of plotting against the state. [VERB + against]
Synonyms: plan, scheme, conspire, intrigue More Synonyms of plot
3. verb
When people plot a strategy or a course of action, they carefully plan each step of it.
Yesterday's meeting was intended to plot a survival strategy for the party. [VERB noun]
For the next five years she plotted her career. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: devise, design, project, lay More Synonyms of plot
4. variable noun
The plot of a film, novel, or play is the connected series of events which make up the story.
5. See also sub-plot
6. countable noun
A plotof land is a small piece of land, especially one that has been measured or marked out for a special purpose, such as building houses or growing vegetables.
I thought that I'd buy myself a small plot of land and build a house on it.
The bottom of the garden was given over to vegetable plots.
7. verb
When someone plots something on a graph, they mark certain points on it and then join the points up.
We plot about eight points on the graph. [VERB noun]
8. verb
When someone plots the position or course of a plane or ship, they mark it on a map using instruments to obtain accurate information.
We were trying to plot the course of the submarine. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: chart, mark, draw, map More Synonyms of plot
9. verb
If someone plots the progress or development of something, they make a diagram or a plan which shows how it has developed in orderto give some indication of how it will develop in the future.
They used a computer to plot the movements of everyone in the building. [VERB noun]
10.
See to lose the plot
More Synonyms of plot
plot in British English1
(plɒt)
noun
1.
a secret plan to achieve some purpose, esp one that is illegal or underhand
a plot to overthrow the government
2.
the story or plan of a play, novel, etc
3. military
a graphic representation of an individual or tactical setting that pinpoints an artillery target
4. mainly US
a diagram or plan, esp a surveyor's map
5. lose the plot
verbWord forms: plots, plotting or plotted
6.
to plan secretly (something illegal, revolutionary, etc); conspire
7. (transitive)
to mark (a course, as of a ship or aircraft) on a map
8. (transitive)
to make a plan or map of
9.
a.
to locate and mark (one or more points) on a graph by means of coordinates
b.
to draw (a curve) through these points
10. (transitive)
to construct the plot of (a literary work)
Word origin
C16: from plot2, influenced in use by complot
plot in British English2
(plɒt)
noun
1.
a small piece of land
a vegetable plot
verbWord forms: plots, plotting or plotted
2. (transitive)
to arrange or divide (land) into plots
Word origin
Old English: piece of land, plan of an area
plot in American English
(plɑt)
noun
1.
a small area of ground marked off for some special use
garden plot, cemetery plot
2.
a chart or diagram, as of a building or estate
3.
a secret, usually evil, project or scheme; conspiracy
4.
the arrangement of the incidents in a play, novel, narrative poem, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈplotted or ˈplotting
5.
a.
to draw a plan or chart of (a ship's course, etc.)
b.
to mark the position or course of on a map
6.
to make secret plans for
to plot someone's destruction
7.
to plan the action of (a story, etc.)
8. Ancient Mathematics
a.
to determine or mark the location of (a point) on a graph by means of coordinates
b.
to represent (an equation) by locating points on a graph and joining them to form a curve
c.
to draw (the curve thus determined)
verb intransitive
9.
to scheme or conspire
SYNONYMY NOTE: plot is used of a secret, usually evil, project or scheme, the details of which have beencarefully worked out [the plot to deprive him of his inheritance failed]; intrigue, implying more intricate scheming, suggests furtive, underhanded maneuvering, oftenof an illicit nature [the intrigues at the royal court]; machination stresses deceit and cunning in devising plots or schemes intended to harm someone[the machinations of the villain]; conspiracy suggests a plot in which a number of people plan and act together secretly for anunlawful or harmful purpose [a conspiracy to seize the throne]; cabal suggests a small group of political intriguers
Derived forms
plotless (ˈplotless)
adjective
plotlessness (ˈplotlessness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE, piece of land: some meanings infl. by complot; (sense 3) short for complot
More idioms containing
plot
lose the plot
the plot thickens
COBUILD Collocations
plot
alleged plot
bomb plot
burial plot
buy a plot
complex plot
disrupt a plot
foil a plot
gripping plot
hatch a plot
murder plot
preposterous plot
sinister plot
terror plot
terrorist plot
thwart a plot
uncover a plot
vegetable plot
Examples of 'plot' in a sentence
plot
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Behind the scenes they are planning and plotting well before inauguration day.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And his poor son loses the plot.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The alchemy of the winemaker can be profound, notably in blending and selecting between individual plots.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet the government needs a reasonable relationship with business to plot a course through the Brexit negotiations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was here that her interest in gardening began, when she had her own plot to garden.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Both freehold and leasehold land plots will be sold - buyers then organise and pay for the building on the plots.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was a master of dialogue whose strength lay not just in the plot but the ability to sketch settings and memorable characters in a few strokes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He also recommends buying a plot with an older house that isn't listed or in a conservation area for a less stressful experience.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A plot of land on the hillside opposite costs a cool 6.5 million.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
To plot his course, the male must think ahead, for which he requires an awareness of the passage of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Potential building plots are harder to spot in urban areas.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But the plot plays second fiddle to the banter.
The Sun (2010)
It simply persuades the person that one belongs to the group that is plotting against him.
Christianity Today (2000)
The investigation uncovered a series of plotting emails between traders and bank staff.
The Sun (2012)
Their individual plots were all absolutely hilarious.
The Sun (2008)
His staff are also apparently plotting his overthrow.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Your story needs a plot as much as your body needs a skeleton.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This gives us a diagram of the whole plot for one season.
Kitto, Dick Planning the Organic Vegetable Garden (1986)
Buying the plot of land and building our house.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You can choose your own variables and plot your own graphs.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
You can dismantle the preposterous plot with a small spanner.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Two recent films plot a subtler trajectory.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
For an additional sum you can buy the building plot.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Experienced sailors can play in an highly realistic mode where you plot a course using only wind direction and strength.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Small garden plots next to the farmhouses would have been used for growing herbs and vegetables and possibly for keeping chickens.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The results maps plot the way.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Look for plots with planning consent.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
These are the plots of two plays which happened to be on at the same theatre within the space of a few months.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
To fund the project, they needed to sell plots of land and build homes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is on a corner plot with wide gardens on three sides, so you can soak up the sun.
The Sun (2013)
I've had to lose the plot at certain times.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
A map plots the location of enemy cities and bases, which you must destroy.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Quotations
Ay, now the plot thickens very much upon usGeorge Villiers BuckinghamThe Rehearsal
Word lists with
plot
America
In other languages
plot
British English: plot /plɒt/ NOUN
piece of land A plot is a small piece of land, especially one that is intended for a purpose such as building houses or growing vegetables.
I bought a small plot of land and built a house on it.
American English: plot piece of land
Arabic: قِطْعَةُ أَرْض
Brazilian Portuguese: lote terreno
Chinese: 小块土地
Croatian: parcela
Czech: parcela
Danish: lod
Dutch: lapje grond
European Spanish: parcela
Finnish: palsta maapala
French: parcelle
German: Grundstück
Greek: αγροτεμάχιο
Italian: lotto terreno
Japanese: 小区画 piece of land
Korean: 작은 지면
Norwegian: jordstykke
Polish: działka część poziadłości
European Portuguese: lote terreno
Romanian: lotde teren
Russian: делянка
Latin American Spanish: parcela
Swedish: tomt mark
Thai: ที่ดิน
Turkish: arsa
Ukrainian: ділянка
Vietnamese: mảnh đất
British English: plot /plɒt/ NOUN
plan A plot is a secret plan to do something that is illegal or wrong.
...a plot to overthrow the government.
American English: plot secret plan
Arabic: مَكِيدَة
Brazilian Portuguese: tramar
Chinese: 密谋
Croatian: urota
Czech: komplot
Danish: komplot
Dutch: intrige
European Spanish: conspirar
Finnish: salajuoni
French: complot
German: aushecken
Greek: συνωμοτώ
Italian: complottare
Japanese: たくらむ secret plan
Korean: 음모를 꾸미다
Norwegian: komplott
Polish: uknuć sekretny plan
European Portuguese: tramar
Romanian: complot
Russian: готовить заговор
Latin American Spanish: conspirar
Swedish: anstifta en komplott
Thai: อุบาย
Turkish: gizli plan
Ukrainian: змова
Vietnamese: âm mưu
British English: plot VERB
If people plot to do something or plot something that is illegal or wrong, they plan secretly to do it.
Prosecutors in the trial allege the defendants plotted to overthrow the government.
American English: plot
Brazilian Portuguese: tramar
Chinese: 密谋
European Spanish: urdir
French: comploter
German: sich verschwören
Italian: complottare
Japanese: 陰謀を企てる
Korean: 음모하다
European Portuguese: tramar
Latin American Spanish: urdir
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'plot'
Bode plot
A Bode plot is the graph of amplitude (in decibels ) and phase against frequency (in logarithmic format ).
bomb plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
sub-plot
The sub-plot in a play, film, or novel is a story that is separate from and less important than the main story.
burial plot
A plot of land is a small piece of land, especially one that has been measured or marked out for a special purpose, such as building houses or growing vegetables .
carpet plot
the graphed values of a function of more than one variable , read from an ordinate at points located by the intersection of curves of constant values of each of the variables
murder plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
plot device
A device is a method of achieving something.
Popish Plot
a supposed conspiracy (1678) to murder Charles II of England and replace him with his Catholic brother James : in reality a fabrication by the informer Titus Oates
terror plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
alleged plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
building plot
a piece of land on which a house can be built
buy a plot
A plot of land is a small piece of land, especially one that has been measured or marked out for a special purpose , such as building houses or growing vegetables .
complex plot
The plot of a film, novel, or play is the connected series of events which make up the story.
gripping plot
The plot of a film, novel , or play is the connected series of events which make up the story .
sinister plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong, usually against a person or a government.
foil a plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
Gunpowder Plot
the unsuccessful conspiracy to blow up James I and Parliament at Westminster on Nov 5, 1605
hatch a plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
terrorist plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
vegetable plot
A plot of land is a small piece of land, especially one that has been measured or marked out for a special purpose, such as building houses or growing vegetables.
disrupt a plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
lose the plot
to become confused and not know what you should do
plot an attack
To attack a person or place means to try to hurt or damage them using physical violence .
preposterous plot
The plot of a film, novel, or play is the connected series of events which make up the story.
thwart a plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
uncover a plot
A plot is a secret plan by a group of people to do something that is illegal or wrong , usually against a person or a government.
the plot thickens
People sometimes say ' the plot thickens ' when a situation or series of events is getting more and more complicated and mysterious .
to lose the plot
If someone loses the plot , they become confused and do not know what they should do.
plotline
The plotline of a book , film, or play is its plot and the way in which it develops .
Chinese translation of 'plot'
plot
(plɔt)
n
(c) (= secret plan)
a plot (to do sth)(做某事的)阴(陰)谋(謀) ((zuò mǒushì de) yīnmóu) (个(個), gè)