plot
plot — noun
1. the connected events that make up a story in a novel, film, play, or series
the connected events that make up a story in a novel, film, play, or series
The film's plot moves quickly after the train crash.
collocation: the plot moves quickly
I liked the plot until the hero woke up and it was all a dream.
By chapter three, the plot becomes much darker.
The children followed the plot even without reading every page.
collocation: follow the plot
- follow the plot
- main plot
- plot moves quickly
- twist in the plot
Usage Note
Often used with books, films, plays, and TV series. It focuses on what happens, not on writing style or acting.
Common Mistakes
2. a hidden scheme in which several people work together to hurt someone, act illeg
a hidden scheme in which several people work together to hurt someone, act illegally, or seize power
Police uncovered a plot to steal exam papers from the school office.
pattern: a plot to do something
The king feared a plot against his family.
pattern: plot against someone
Several officers joined the plot during the winter.
News of the plot spread across the capital by morning.
- plot against the king
- plot to kill
- political plot
- terror plot
- conspiracy
Close in meaning, especially for political or criminal action.
- scheme
Can be secret and dishonest, but not always as serious.
- intrigue
More literary and often used for complicated secret action.
Grammar Patterns
a plot to do something
a plot against someone
Usage Note
Common with 'to' + verb and with 'against' + a person or government. Unlike noun/1, this sense is about secret action in real life, not a story.
Common Mistakes
3. a section of ground set aside for a specific use, such as building, gardening, o
a section of ground set aside for a specific use, such as building, gardening, or burial
The Chens bought a small plot near the station for a new shop.
pattern: plot for a building
Grandfather grows beans on a plot behind the house.
Each family received one plot in the community garden.
Her name was carved beside the burial plot.
collocation: burial plot
- building plot
- garden plot
- burial plot
Grammar Patterns
a plot for a house
a plot behind the house
Usage Note
Often appears after size words such as 'small' or 'narrow', and before phrases showing purpose: a plot for a house, a garden plot, a burial plot.
4. a drawn figure that shows information, measurements, or parts of something in a
a drawn figure that shows information, measurements, or parts of something in a simple visual way
The report included a plot of weekly sales.
pattern: a plot of results
Use the plot to compare temperature changes across the year.
Her science poster showed a plot of the test results.
The engineer checked the plot of stress against weight before building the bridge.
- line plot
- scatter plot
- plot of results
Grammar Patterns
a plot of results
a plot of changes
Usage Note
Common in science, maths, and technical writing. Distinguish from noun/3, which is land, and from verb/2, which is the action of making this kind of figure.
lose the plot
idiomTo become unable to understand or handle a situation correctly.
After the third mistake, Maya completely lost the plot.
Did Brian lose the plot when he started shouting at the meeting?
the plot thickens
idiomSaid when a situation becomes more mysterious or complex.
The plot thickens when the detective finds a second letter.
As more evidence appeared, the plot thickened for the investigators.
plot — verb
1. to secretly prepare harmful or illegal action, often with other people
to secretly prepare harmful or illegal action, often with other people
The gang plotted to rob the bank after sunset.
pattern: plot to do something
Two ministers were plotting against the queen in a locked room.
pattern: plot against someone
For months, the group plotted behind closed doors.
Rumors spread that unknown hackers were plotting an attack.
- plot against the king
- plot an attack
- plot to escape
Grammar Patterns
plot to do something
plot against someone
Usage Note
Often followed by 'to' + verb or 'against' + a person. This sense is about harmful secrecy; verb/4 is for hidden fun or surprises.
Common Mistakes
2. to mark a place, line, or shape on paper or on a map
to mark a place, line, or shape on paper or on a map
Mia plotted the new bus stop on the town map.
pattern: plot something on a map
On the map page, the guide plotted our camp beside the river.
On the sketch, Felix plotted the wall with a red pen.
The architect plotted the doorways before drawing the rooms.
use: mark features before fuller drawing
- plot on a map
- plot the route
- plot the position
Grammar Patterns
plot something on a map
plot a route
Usage Note
Object is usually a place, line, or feature, and the sentence often ends with 'on' a map, sketch, or page. Distinguish from verb/2, where points or data are shown through a graph.
Common Mistakes
3. to place points or lines on a graph or chart so that changes, routes, or positio
to place points or lines on a graph or chart so that changes, routes, or positions can be seen
Students plotted the rainfall data on a large graph.
pattern: plot data on a graph
The screen plots the plane's path every two seconds.
Our class plotted each point before joining the line.
pattern: plot each point
The app plots your speed during the bike ride.
- plot data
- plot a point
- plot a curve
- plot a path
Grammar Patterns
plot data on a graph
plot a point
Usage Note
Usually used with numbers, coordinates, routes, or movement. Unlike verb/1, this sense shows change or position through points and lines.
Common Mistakes
4. to secretly arrange a surprise, trick, or enjoyable event for someone
to secretly arrange a surprise, trick, or enjoyable event for someone
Her friends plotted a birthday party without telling Nora.
pattern: plot a surprise for someone
The class plotted a harmless joke for the last school day.
Leo and Ben plotted to hide gifts in the kitchen.
pattern: plot to do something funny
We plotted a surprise for Dad after dinner.
- plot a surprise
- plot a joke
- plot a party
Grammar Patterns
plot a surprise for someone
plot to do something funny
Usage Note
Object is usually a surprise, joke, or party. Unlike verb/3, the result is playful or kind, not criminal or violent.
5. to invent the chain of events for a book, film, play, or show
to invent the chain of events for a book, film, play, or show
Dana plotted the final season during a train ride.
pattern: plot a show before writing
The team plotted a new detective series for television.
Noah plotted the comic carefully before writing the first page.
pattern: plot before writing
By lunch, the writers had plotted three more episodes.
- plot a novel
- plot the ending
- plot an episode
Grammar Patterns
plot a novel
plot an episode
Usage Note
Object is a creative work such as a novel, film, play, or episode. Distinguish from noun/1, which is the finished story itself.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- plotternounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
For noun/1, plot is the arrangement of events: what happens, in what order, and how one event leads to the next. Story is broader and can mean the whole account, including setting and characters. Storyline is very close to plot, but it often names one thread inside a longer TV series or novel. Narrative is more formal and is common in criticism or academic writing; it can also focus on the way events are told, not only the events themselves. Script usually refers to the written text for film, TV, or theatre, so it includes dialogue as well as plot. You can say, 'The plot gets stronger after episode two,' but 'The script needs better dialogue.'
Etymology
In English, plot first referred to a small marked piece of ground. From that land sense came the idea of a plan or drawing of an area, and then a chart. Later, plot also developed the meanings of an arranged story line and a secret scheme worked out step by step.