English Explanatory Dictionary

the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb

No matter how well a project is planned, accidents or misfortune can still occur.

Word forms

the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry the best laid plans of mice and men go oft astray

Etymology

From a Scots poem by Robert Burns, To a Mouse. In the original Scots, the lines are, “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft agley”.

Synonyms

man plans and God laughs man proposes, God disposes

Related words

agley § Usage notes accidents will happen in the best regulated families

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