counterplan
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A plan devised to oppose or defeat another plan: A counterplan is a strategy or course of action created specifically to neutralize, subvert, or provide an alternative to an existing plan or proposal, often in a competitive or adversarial context such as debate, politics, or strategy.
Usage
A "counterplan" is typically presented as a direct response to an initial plan. It argues that the proposed alternative is superior or necessary to address the flaws or threats of the original plan. - In formal debate, a counterplan must be competitive, proving it is a better option than the original proposition. - In business or military strategy, a counterplan is developed to anticipate and counteract a competitor's or opponent's moves.
Examples
- Noun:
- The debate team presented a detailed counterplan to the government's policy proposal.
- Faced with the hostile takeover bid, the company's board formulated a counterplan to remain independent.
- The general's brilliant counterplan effectively nullified the enemy's advance.
Advanced Usage
- "To run a counterplan": (Debate terminology) To present and defend a counterplan as one's main strategy during a debate round.
- The negative team decided to run a counterplan focused on private-sector solutions.
- "Counterplan competitiveness": (Debate terminology) A criterion requiring that a counterplan must be mutually exclusive with and superior to the original plan.
- The judge ruled that the counterplan failed on competitiveness because it could be adopted alongside the affirmative plan.
Variants and Related Words
- Counterproposal (n): A proposal offered as an alternative to a previous proposal. (Often less adversarial than a counterplan).
- Countermeasure (n): An action taken to offset or neutralize another action, often used in contexts of security or defense.
- Counterstrategy (n): A strategy designed specifically to counter another strategy.
Synonyms
- Antidote (figuratively): Something that corrects or counteracts a harmful or undesirable situation.
- Alternative plan: A different plan offered as a choice.
- Opposing strategy: A strategy formulated in opposition to another.
Related Phrases
- "To offer a counterplan": To formally propose an alternative plan.
- In response to the criticism, the senator offered a comprehensive counterplan.
- "To defeat a plan with a counterplan": To successfully overcome an original plan by implementing a superior alternative.
- They managed to defeat the initiative not by arguing against it, but by championing a more popular counterplan.
Noun
- a plot intended to subvert another plot