make plans

Meaning

This expression means to organize or arrange activities to do with other people in the future. It is commonly used when scheduling social hangouts, dates, or family gatherings. The tone is friendly and neutral.

Examples

• We should make plans to grab coffee sometime next week.

  We should make plans to grab coffee sometime next week.

• Are you making plans for the weekend, or are you just staying in?

  Are you making plans for the weekend, or are you just staying in?

• My friends and I made plans to go to the beach on Saturday.

  My friends and I made plans to go to the beach on Saturday.

• I hate to make plans and then have to cancel them at the last minute.

  I hate to make plans and then have to cancel them at the last minute.

• Let's make plans to celebrate your birthday when you get back.

  Let's make plans to celebrate your birthday when you get back.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to do plans for tonight.

  ✓ We need to make plans for tonight.

  In English, we always use the verb 'make' with 'plans', not 'do'.

• ✗ I made a plan with Sarah tomorrow.

  ✓ I made plans with Sarah for tomorrow.

  When talking about casual social hangouts, we almost always use the plural 'plans' instead of the singular 'a plan'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We should definitely ___ to see that new movie together.

  💡 Arrange a time and place to do something.

  Show answer

  make plans

• Did you ___ for dinner tonight, or are you free?

  💡 Organize social activities.

  Show answer

  make plans