English Reference

Phrasal verb

figure on

Definition

phrasal verb. to plan for something or expect it to happen.

phrasal verb. to include something in one's plans or to anticipate a specific outcome; often used when calculating or predicting future events.

Examples

“I didn't figure on the traffic being so bad today.”

“When we planned the budget, we didn't figure on the price of petrol rising so quickly.”

“The developers had to figure on a significant delay once the environmental impact study revealed protected species on the site.”

Examples

simple

“I didn't figure on the traffic being so bad today.”

contextual

“When we planned the budget, we didn't figure on the price of petrol rising so quickly.”

complex

“The developers had to figure on a significant delay once the environmental impact study revealed protected species on the site.”

Usage

usually followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).

Teaching tip

note that this is more common in American English; contrast it with 'count on' (rely on) or 'plan for'.

Pitfall

We figured on to arrive at six.

We figured on arriving at six.

the particle 'on' must be followed by a gerund (-ing) rather than an infinitive.

Phrasal verb

Particles

on

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

figure + on + object

Synonyms

Antonyms

Grammar

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/figure-on

English Reference