“The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 18, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The idiom the best laid plans of mice and men might often be heard during an English conversation, but what does this saying mean? We are going to find out the meaning of this phrase as well as looking at where it first came from. We are also going to be looking at some examples of day to day conversations in which the term might appear.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

The phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men” means that even the most carefully made plans can go wrong due to unexpected events. It suggests that no matter how much effort or thought is put into planning, things may not always turn out as expected because life is unpredictable.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Meaning
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Meaning – Created by 7ESL

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men Meaning

The phrase “the best laid plans of mice and men” means that even the most carefully prepared plans can go wrong or fail due to unforeseen circumstances. It highlights the unpredictability of life, suggesting that no matter how well you plan, things may not always turn out as expected.

Origin of the Phrase

The term the best laid plans of mice and men finds its origins from the poem ‘To a Mouse’ which was written by Robert Burns in the late 1700s.

Usage of “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”

Here are some examples of how “the best laid plans of mice and men” can be used in different contexts:

  1. Unexpected Problems:
    • “I had everything planned for the trip, but my flight got canceled. The best laid plans of mice and men.”
    • (Despite careful planning, unforeseen events disrupted the trip.)
  2. Work and Projects:
    • “We prepared for weeks, but a sudden power outage ruined the presentation. The best laid plans of mice and men.”
    • (Even with thorough preparation, unexpected issues caused things to go wrong.)
  3. Everyday Life:
    • “I planned to spend the weekend relaxing, but ended up working on my car instead. The best laid plans of mice and men.”
    • (Plans to relax were disrupted by an unforeseen need for car repairs.)
  4. Events and Gatherings:
    • “They organized the perfect outdoor party, but it started raining just as guests arrived. The best laid plans of mice and men.”
    • (Careful planning was undone by unexpected weather.)

This phrase is often used to acknowledge how, despite good intentions and careful planning, life’s unpredictability can still interfere.

Related Terms to “The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men”

  • Murphy’s Law – Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
  • Expect the unexpected – Be prepared for things not to go as planned.
  • Plans can go awry – Even well-thought-out plans can fail or be disrupted.
  • Things don’t always go as planned – Outcomes may differ from what was intended.
  • Life happens – Unexpected events can disrupt plans.
  • The road to hell is paved with good intentions – Good plans or intentions can lead to failure or unintended consequences.
  • Best-laid schemes often falter – Even careful preparations can lead to failure.
  • When things go south – When plans or situations take a turn for the worse.
  • Unforeseen circumstances – Events that are not anticipated and can disrupt plans.
  • Curveball – An unexpected or surprising event that throws off plans.

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

There are other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term the best laid plans of mice and men. We are now going to take a look at some other things you might say in its place.

  • It doesn’t always go to plan
  • Things do not always work out as planned

“The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men” Examples

Examples in Statements

There may be many times in which you might see the term the best laid plans of mice and men in a sentence and we are now going to take a look at some examples of this.

The first is a statement being made by a building manager.

  • We did plan to have the building finished by August but the best laid plans of mice and men don’t always come through. It will now be done in October.

The second statement is being made by a father to his son.

  • Your girlfriend might have said no to your elaborate proposal but don’t be too disheartened, the best laid plans of mice and men do not always succeed.

Conversation Examples

There are a lot of times which you are likely to hear the term the best laid plans of mice and men during day to day conversation. We are now going to look at some examples of times in which it might feature.

The first is a conversation between some staff members at a company.

  • Person 1; “It is such a shame that the event did not go ahead as planned.”
  • Person 2; “Yes but we will fix the damage.”
  • Person 1; “I am sure that the guests will understand that the best laid plans of mice and men do not always go to plan.”

The next conversation is taking place between two friends.

  • Person 1; “I can’t believe that I didn’t get the job, I spent so much time planning every answer to the interview questions.”
  • Person 2; “It is hard to believe isn’t it,”
  • Person 1; “I guess even the best laid plans of mice and men are not guaranteed to work out.”
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