Definition

1. Noun:

   • A secret plan to do something, especially something unlawful or harmful: A plot is a scheme or conspiracy, often developed in secret.
   • The main sequence of events in a story, play, novel, or film: A plot is the structured arrangement of incidents and actions that make up the narrative.
   • A small, defined piece of land, often used for a specific purpose: A plot is a measured area of ground, such as for gardening or building.
   • A graph or diagram representing data or a plan: A plot is a chart showing the relationship between variables or the layout of an area.

2. Verb:

   • To plan secretly, especially to do something illegal or harmful: To plot is to devise a secret scheme or conspiracy.
   • To devise the sequence of events in a story, play, or film: To plot is to construct the narrative structure of a creative work.
   • To mark or represent on a chart, graph, or map: To plot is to mark points or draw a diagram to show data or a plan.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The police uncovered a plot to rob the bank. (A secret, illegal plan)
  • The novel has a very complex and engaging plot. (The story's sequence of events)
  • He bought a small plot of land to build a house. (A piece of ground)
  • The scientist drew a plot showing the relationship between temperature and pressure. (A graph)

• Verb:

  • The rebels plotted against the government for years. (Planned a secret, harmful action)
  • She spent months plotting her new mystery novel. (Devising the story's events)
  • The navigator plotted the ship's course on the map. (Marked a course on a chart)
  • We plotted the experimental results on a scatter graph. (Represented data on a diagram)

Advanced Usage

• "The plot thickens": An idiom used to say that a situation, especially in a story, is becoming more complicated or interesting.

  • Just as we thought we knew the culprit, a new witness appeared—the plot thickens.

• "To lose the plot" (idiom, informal): To lose one's ability to understand or deal with what is happening; to become confused or irrational.

  • After working 20 hours straight, I think I'm starting to lose the plot.

Variants and Related Words

• Plotter (noun): A person who makes secret plans; also, a machine that draws graphs or diagrams.

  • The conspirators were identified as the main plotters.
  • The architect used a plotter to print the large-scale building plans.

• Subplot (noun): A secondary strand of the plot that runs parallel to the main story.

  • The romance between the two side characters was an interesting subplot.

Synonyms

• Noun (plan): Scheme, conspiracy, intrigue.
• Noun (story): Storyline, narrative, scenario.
• Noun (land): Parcel, lot, patch.
• Verb (plan): Scheme, conspire, intrigue.
• Verb (chart): Chart, map, graph.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Plot against (someone/something): To make a secret plan to harm or overthrow a person or institution.

  • The generals were accused of plotting against the king.

• Plot out:

  • To plan something in detail.

    • We plotted out our route for the road trip.
  • To divide an area into plots.

    • The land was plotted out for the new housing development.

Related Idioms

• A plot of land: A specific, often small, area of ground.

  • They grow vegetables on their plot of land.

• To hatch a plot: To devise a secret plan.

  • The villains hatched a plot to steal the crown jewels.

Noun

1. a chart or map showing the movements or progress of an object
2. the story that is told in a novel or play or movie etc.
   • the characters were well drawn but the plot was banal
3. a small area of ground covered by specific vegetation
   • a bean plot
   • a cabbage patch
   • a briar patch
4. a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
   • they concocted a plot to discredit the governor
   • I saw through his little game from the start

Verb

1. devise the sequence of events in (a literary work or a play, movie, or ballet)
   • the writer is plotting a new novel
2. make a plat of
   • Plat the town
3. make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows interactions among variables or how something is constructed
4. plan secretly, usually something illegal
   • They plotted the overthrow of the government