# figure on

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/figure-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to plan for something or expect it to happen.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "We figured on to arrive at six." but "We figured on arriving at six." — the particle 'on' must be followed by a gerund (-ing) rather than an infinitive.

## Usage notes

- 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'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.