the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry

the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry

Said when something ends poorly or differently than expected, despite preparations for success. The phrase is likely an adaptation of a line from 18th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns. I always thought our business would last forever. I guess it's true what they say, though—the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. A: "I've been working on this project for six months, and now, right before it's due, they tell me they want something completely different." B: "That's rough. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, huh?"

See also: and, go, men, mice, of, often, plan

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