Plan for the worst; hope for the best.
Plan for the worst; hope for the best.
Meaning in plain English
The saying combines preparation for a bad outcome with hope for a good one. It separates practical planning from the result one wishes for.
Example
A group pursues its preferred plan and keeps a workable alternative for a known difficulty.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Worst and best mark extremes rather than the only possible outcomes. A useful application can develop a fallback while pursuing a realistic aim. The phrase does not require preparing for every imaginable disaster or guarantee that hope changes the result.
When to use it
Use it to combine practical alternatives with a desired outcome.
Keep in mind
Preparation should be proportionate; hope and planning do not guarantee success.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 183; PDF page 30
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