planning

Idioms (27)

• on the back burner Informal · CEFR B2
  given low priority and left for later
• in the pipeline Neutral · CEFR B2
  being planned or developed and expected to happen soon
• set something in stone Neutral · CEFR B2
  to make something fixed and impossible to change
• set the scene Neutral · CEFR B2
  to describe the background so that something can be understood, or to create the conditions for it
• get someone on board Informal · CEFR B2
  to persuade someone to join or support a plan or project
• throw somebody in at the deep end Informal · CEFR B2
  to make someone start a difficult task with little preparation or help
• back to the drawing board Neutral · CEFR B2
  to start planning or designing again after an idea or attempt has failed
• easier said than done Neutral · CEFR B1
  Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.
• play it by ear Informal · CEFR B2
  To deal with a situation as it develops rather than following a fixed plan.
• cross that bridge when you come to it Neutral · CEFR B2
  To deal with a problem only when it actually arises, not before.
• boil the ocean Neutral · CEFR C1
  to attempt something impossibly large or ambitious, especially by trying to solve every problem at once
• pipe dream Informal · CEFR B2
  an unrealistic hope or plan that will almost certainly never happen
• iron out the kinks Neutral · CEFR B2
  to fix the last small problems in a plan, process, or product
• moving target Neutral · CEFR B2
  a goal or requirement that keeps changing while you try to hit it
• have several balls in the air Informal · CEFR B2
  to be managing multiple projects or commitments at once
• cover all bases Neutral · CEFR B2
  to consider and prepare for every important part, possibility, or problem so nothing is missed
• bite off more than you can chew Informal · CEFR B2
  to take on more work than you can handle
• get your ducks in a row Informal · CEFR C1
  to organize things carefully before acting
• the devil is in the details Neutral · CEFR B2
  the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details
• put the cart before the horse Neutral · CEFR B2
  to do things in the wrong order
• back to square one Neutral · CEFR B2
  to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed
• mission creep Neutral · CEFR C1
  the gradual expansion of a project's goals beyond its original scope
• get the show on the road Informal · CEFR B2
  to begin a project or activity that has been delayed
• for the time being Neutral · CEFR B1
  temporarily, until circumstances change
• with a view to Formal · CEFR B2
  with the intention of achieving a particular result
• take stock Neutral · CEFR B2
  to pause and carefully assess a situation before deciding what to do next
• buy time Neutral · CEFR B2
  to create a delay that provides extra time to prepare or decide