English Experts

[Flavia.lm]

Português: Plano B, uma alternativa caso a idéia inicial não dê certo
Inglês: Backup plan

Exemplos:

1. Sometimes, a backup plan can be as simple as looking for another way out.
2. The prospect that your venture may never make money makes it important to have a backup plan, says Stajer.
3. Stepanek said he likes to have a backup plan as he heads into a match.

[Thomas]

Flavia, there is nothing wrong with "Plan B". Either "Plan B" or "backup plan" are very commonly used. Your explanation, by the way, is excellent.

"Backup" is a handy word. It can be almost anything that can be used as a substitute.
(1) You have promised to take me to the airport on Monday. If something happens and you cannot take me, Chuck is my backup driver. He can take me if you can't.
(2) You have been invited to a party on Saturday night. If the party is boring, a new movie at Cinemark will be your backup.
(3) Policemen in the US often carry a second handgun concealed on their person. That weapon is called their backup.
(4) If policemen require additional help in making an arrest, they request backup (reinforcements).

I've heard a military expression but I don't know if I remember it correctly. It goes something like this: "Three plans are two plans, two plans are one plan, one plan is no plan."

[Flavia.lm]

Hi Thomas,
Thanks for complementing. And I do agree that "one plan is no plan".