no plan survives contact with the enemy
After a plan against an enemy is drafted, there will be unexpected elements from the opposition that will call for improvisation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We made a plan, but no plan survives contact with the enemy.”
“We prepared for the presentation, but the client asked unexpected questions because no plan survives contact with the enemy.”
“The general knew that despite their meticulous tactical preparations, no plan survives contact with the enemy once the chaos of the battlefield begins.”
- 01
be one's own worst enemy
To act contrary to one's own interests; to cause problems for oneself; to self-sabotage.
- 02
best laid plans
A proverbial expression used to signify the futility of making detailed plans when the ability to fully or even partially execute them is uncertain.
- 03
game plan
Any strategy devised to reach a given objective.
- 04
let the perfect be the enemy of the good
To insist on the total realization of a goal and reject any compromise, thereby decreasing the chance of achieving even a part of that goal.
- 05
master plan
A comprehensive document that sets out an overall strategy; the strategy itself.
- 06
sounds like a plan
Used to indicate agreement with a proposed suggestion.
Last updated August 10, 2026