Meaning
To decide how you will do something in the future.
Practice Bank
3 exercisesThey decided to ______ for their summer vacation early this year.
Before starting the project, it's important to ______ and set clear goals.
Let's ______ to meet up next week and discuss our ideas.
🎉 Score: /3
The phrase 'make plans' is a combination of the verb 'make' and the plural noun 'plans'. **Make:** The word 'make' comes from the Old English 'macian', which meant 'to fashion, construct, produce, form, bring into being; to compose, prepare'. This in turn comes from the Proto-Germanic '*makōną', meaning 'to fit, suit, produce'. The Proto-Germanic root is related to Old High German 'mahho' (work, creation), German 'machen' (to make), Old Norse 'maka' (to make, to fit), and Gothic 'makon' (to make, to prepare). The ultimate etymology is uncertain, but it may be linked to the PIE root '*mag-' meaning 'to knead, to fashion'. Over centuries, 'make' developed a broad range of meanings, including to cause to be or become, to perform, to establish, and to intend. Its flexibility has made it a core component of many English idioms and phrasal verbs. **Plans:** The word 'plan' entered English in the 17th century from the French 'plan', which referred to a 'ground-plan, a flat surface, or a drawing'. This French word derived from the Latin 'planum', meaning 'a flat surface, a level ground', which is related to the adjective 'planus', meaning 'flat, level, even'. The architectural sense of 'plan' (a drawing showing the layout of a building or area) quickly extended to more abstract meanings, such as 'a scheme of action, a method of proceeding, a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something'. The plural 'plans' specifically refers to multiple intentions or a comprehensive strategy. **Combination:** The combination 'make plans' emerged naturally from the existing meanings of 'make' (to form, to produce, to cause to be) and 'plans' (schemes of action). It signifies the act of forming or bringing into existence a set of decisions or arrangements for future action. This phrase became common as a concise way to express the preparatory thought process involved in organizing future events or endeavors. Its usage reflects the human tendency to conceptualize and prepare for what is to come, whether in personal life, business, or other domains.
