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This phrase, derived from a line in Robert Burns' poem, means that no matter how carefully a plan is made or how well it is thought out, things can still go wrong unexpectedly. It highlights the unpredictability of life and the fact that even the most well-thought-out plans can fail due to unforeseen circumstances.

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5d ago
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11y ago

The words are from "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough" written by Robert Burns in 1785. The original text is

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men

Gang aft agley,

(Scots)

"of Mice and Men" is the name of John Steinbeck's novel which comes from this poem.

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12y ago
Meaning of 'the best-laid plansof mice and men often goawry'.Answer 1:The most carefully prepared plans may go wrong. Everybody makes plans for the future, but often to those plans do not work out.

No matter how carefully a project is planned, even though we plan to the best of our ability, something may still go wrong with it.

The saying is adapted from a line in "To aMouse, " by Robert Burns: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/ Gang aft a-gley."

Answer 2:

1) The phrase is adapted from a poem 'To a Mouse', " by RobertBurns about him running over a mouse home.

Burns used this illustration to show that despite the best laid plans by the lady, she could not have forseen the vermin in her wig.

It implies that "No matter how well you plan something, "stuff" happens. So relax and get over it, it isn't the end of the world.

Answer 3:

This phrase is a variant of a line found in a poem by Robert Burns.

But it is about his plowing a field and accidentally turning over and ruining the nest of a small field mouse at a time of year when it's impossible for the mouse to rebuild.

In the poem Burns tries to reassure the frightened mouse that he meant no harm and likens the plight of the mouse to his own life of struggle. It is a sad but hauntingly beautiful poem.

The quote is not quite right. The poem actually says, "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley.", having been written in Scots rather than English.

Answer 4:

The phrase means that whether you are a man or a mouse your plans are subject to outside forces and will be subject to change and disruption.

When the final stanza is considered, the sentiment expressed is in fact the opposite, thus;

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me

The present only toucheth thee:

But, Och! I backward cast my e'e.

On prospects drear!

An' forward, tho' I canna see,

I guess an' fear!

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12y ago

mice and men was written by John Steinbeck. He was strongly influenced by his contemporary, Ernest Hemingway( the author of a poem). This poems message was tied in with darwins theory of survival of the fittest as it later came to be known as. it explained how it also doesnt matter what you think will happen or what you plan to do, no matter what the species. that was what the author of this poem said to make it clear that we are not all different.

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12y ago

It means that no matter how well laid out your plans are, there is always a chance that plan will not go the way you intended.

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12y ago

Even the best plans of mice and men could go wrong very easily!

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12y ago

Even the best plans of mice and men often go wrong.

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11y ago
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Q: What does the phrase 'the best laid plans Of Mice and Men often go awry' mean?
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How do you use awry in a sentence?

"Her plan went awry." "'The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." transliterated from the Robby Burns poem, "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough" circa 1785.


What does the best laid schemes o' mice and men gang aft a-gley mean?

This phrase, from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse," means that even the most carefully made plans can go awry or go off course. It reflects the unpredictability and uncertainty of life despite our best efforts to plan for the future.


Where did Steinbeck get the title Of Mice and Men?

The line from the poem: "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns served as he inspiration for the title, and is often translated into English as: "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry (or astray)." However, the original Burns Scottish is: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft Agley


How would you feel if your plans went awry?

Personally i feel disappointed when my plans go awry.


What is a sentence with awry?

ahe plans that i have made for joining wipro are going awry.


A sentence with the word awry?

All my carefully layed plans have gone awry and are not going as I have intended.


How come curley's wife doesn't get into show business?

Curley's wife doesn't get into show business because she marries Curley, the ranch owner's son, rather than pursuing a career in entertainment. Her dreams of becoming an actress fade away as she gets trapped in a loveless and unhappy marriage on the ranch.


What poem is the original source of the best laid plans 'Of Mice and Men' often go awry?

The line "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men gang aft agley" comes from the Robert Burns poem "To a Mouse," written in 1785. The phrase is often used to illustrate how even the most carefully made plans can go awry due to unforeseen circumstances.


Where did Steinbeck the athour Of Mice and Men get the title of the book mice and men'?

The title "Of Mice and Men" is derived from a line in a poem by Robert Burns called "To a Mouse." Steinbeck found inspiration in this line to convey the idea of vulnerability and fragility that both small creatures and marginalized people share in a harsh world.


Why was the title 'Of Mice and Men' used?

The title "Of Mice and Men" was taken from a line in a poem by Robert Burns which emphasizes the fragility of dreams and the challenges faced by the characters in the story. It symbolizes the relationship between George and Lennie, highlighting their vulnerability and the struggles they encounter in pursuit of their dreams.


Why is the story called Of Mice and Men?

The title is taken from a Robert Burn's poem titled "To A Mouse." In the poem, a plow overturns a mouse's burrow, to which Burns writes, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." Just like the mouse, George and Lennie's dream to have a plot of land of their own and be their own bosses is shattered by unforeseeable circumstances.


Why did Steinbeck choose the title 'Of Mice and Men'?

Of Mice and MenSteinbeck originally titled it Something That Happened, however he changed the title after reading Robert Burns' poem, To a Mouse. That poem tells of the regret the narrator feels for having destroyed the home of a mouse while plowing his field. In essence, it suggests that no plan is fool-proof and no one can be completely prepared for the future.The line from the poem: "To a Mouse" is often translated into English as: "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry (or astray)." However, the original Burns Scottish is: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley."