Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

the plot thickens

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.77 in modern English

Syllables: the -plot thick-ens
IPA

29

Scrabble Score

15

Letters

3

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Used to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.

Humorous

Example Sentences

"BAYES. Lo' you now, there he's off again. JOHNS. Admirably done i'faith. BAYES. Ay, now the Plot thickens very much upon us."
"Y. Book. Well said, Lad—and as Mr. Bays says, now the Plot thickens upon us, we'll spend our time as gaily as the best of 'em—and all of it in Love …"
""His statement is wholly false," was our hero’s reply. "It was his miserable villainy that deprived me of my liberty, and kept me away from my work." Mr. Goldwin looked puzzled. "The plot thickens," said he. "Give me your story.""

Etymology

From the satirical play The Rehearsal. First attested in 1671.

Origin

First known use: First attested in 1671

Usage

Humorous

Questions

What does the plot thickens mean?: Used to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.
Where does the plot thickens come from?: First known use: First attested in 1671.

How to pronounce the plot thickens

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “the plot thickens”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “the plot thickens”.
Repeat and practice — Say “the plot thickens” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.