the best-laid plans of mice and men

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the best-laid plans of mice and men

Said when something ends poorly or differently than expected, despite preparations for success. It is an abbreviated version of the full proverb "the best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray." I always thought our marriage was stable and that we'd be together forever. I guess it's true what they say, though, the best-laid plans of mice and men and all that. 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, I suppose."
See also: and, men, mice, of, plan
References in periodicals archive ?
"The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry." But (https://www.strategy-business.com/blog/How-to-Fail-Successfully) learning how to improvise in a structured manner will help ensure the big bumps in the road don't throw you completely off course, says consultant Adam Kahane in a recent blog posting on strategy+business.
Learn to Fail Successfully
"The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry"--the shortened, translated version from a poem by Robert Burns in 1785 refers to the author who, as legend has it, accidentally destroyed a mouse's nest while plowing in the fields.
Change of Plans
So there you are: The best-laid plans of mice and men and rats.
Awwwwww, rats (and Mice)! Pesky rodents have a long and not-so-pleasant history
SEDGEFIELD racecourse manager Jim Allen has pledged to come up with a new `scam' for next year's Mascot Grand National after revealing how the best-laid plans of mice and men came unstuck in Sunday's race for want of a costume-fitting.
Fresh `scam' pledged for next year's mascot race; Mastermind admits costume mistake in foiled
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