scheme

Everyday

1. (UK, Australia, NZ) An official plan or system for doing something: a recycling scheme, a reading scheme at school. tree →
2. A clever, often secret or dishonest plan: a scheme to steal the jewels. tree →
3. (verb) To make secret plans, often to trick people. tree →
4. A «colour scheme» is a set of colours chosen to go together. tree →
5. (Scotland) A housing estate. tree →

In the lessons

In UK and Australian school life: «the school reading scheme», «a savings scheme», «a cycle-to-school scheme». In US English «scheme» usually sounds sneaky. In stories villains scheme and plot; in safety lessons «a get-rich-quick scheme» or online scheme is a scam — be careful. Phrases: «a money-making scheme», «get-rich-quick scheme», «colour scheme», «in the grand scheme of things».

Examples

• Our school has a new recycling scheme. tree →
• The villain had a scheme to steal the crown. tree →
• Beware of get-rich-quick schemes online. tree →
• The bedroom has a blue and white colour scheme. tree →
• The twins were scheming to stay up late. tree →
• In the savings scheme, you add £2 a week; how much after 10 weeks? tree →
• In the grand scheme of things, one bad mark doesn't matter. tree →
• During this time she studied magic in order to carry out her wicked scheme. tree →

Note

Countable: schemes. Person: schemer; adjective: scheming (sly). Trap: in UK English «scheme» is often neutral (an official plan); in US English it often sounds dishonest. Pronounced «skeem».

In Jewish tradition

In UK and Australian school life: «the school reading scheme», «a savings scheme», «a cycle-to-school scheme». In US English «scheme» usually sounds sneaky. In stories villains scheme and plot; in safety lessons «a get-rich-quick scheme» or online scheme is a scam — be careful. Phrases: «a money-making scheme», «get-rich-quick scheme», «colour scheme», «in the grand scheme of things».

Examples

• The Kabalistic principles involved in the reversal of Hebrew letters, and their substitution by others, on definite schemes, should also be studied and borne in mind. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Countable: schemes. Person: schemer; adjective: scheming (sly). Trap: in UK English «scheme» is often neutral (an official plan); in US English it often sounds dishonest. Pronounced «skeem».