plot on the compound

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-Many US and European embassies around the Middle East remain closed because of fears about a potential terrorist attack in the region. Washington claims to have intercepted messages by al-Qaeda agents talking about a plot on a Western diplomatic compound.

Does PLOT ON A ... necessarily mean PLOT AGAINST here? Could it be interpreted as the location where the agents talked about the plot was in/inside the compound?

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Type: Question • Score: 3 • Views: 696 • Replies: 6

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@WBYeats,

Quote:

….where the agents talked about the plot was in/inside the compound?

Very unlikely WB. What might make you think so

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@WBYeats,

WBYeats wrote:

Does PLOT ON A ... necessarily mean PLOT AGAINST here? Could it be interpreted as the location where the agents talked about the plot was in/inside the compound?

A plot (meaning conspiracy) "on" something is a plot against something. A plot on the King's life is a plot to kill the King. A plot on the Presidency is a plot to take over that office. A plot on an embassy is a plot to attack that embassy. It would not be interpreted as meaning that the location where the agents talked about the plot was in or inside the compound.

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@WBYeats,

Quote:

Could it be interpreted as the location where the agents talked about the plot was in/inside the compound?

Yes it could, although the context leads us to the other meaning.

A "plot on a compound" is not a very good phrase, although it serves as a useful shorthand. (the word "attack" is missing)

"A plot on his life" is better, because we know from that wording that the plotters mean to kill him.

Btw if the word "plot" is used, as a verb, you know that some criminality is intended.

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@McTag,

McTag wrote:

Btw if the word "plot" is used, as a verb, you know that some criminality is intended.

Not if the person doing the plotting is a navigator or someone drawing a graph.

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@contrex,

Ah, good point there. I must be more careful in future. Embarrassed

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Thank you~

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plot on the compound

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