no plan survives contact with the enemy
English
Alternative forms
- no battle plan survives contact with the enemy
- no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy
- no plan survives first contact with the enemy
- Everybody's got a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Phrase
no plan survives contact with the enemy
- (idiomatic) After a plan against an enemy is drafted, there will be unexpected elements from the opposition that will call for improvisation.
- (broadly) Even with a preexisting plan, unexpected circumstances will require one to think on one's feet.
- 2015, Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content (webcomic), Number 2933: Game Over Man, Game Over:
- ‹"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." Or with a pretty girl in a sundress.›
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