figure on: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral, most common in spoken and conversational written English (e.g., business meetings, planning discussions).
Quick answer
What does “figure on” mean?
To plan for, expect, or count on something happening.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To plan for, expect, or count on something happening; to rely on a particular fact or circumstance.
To include something as a likely factor in a plan or calculation; to anticipate a particular outcome based on available information.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the phrasal verb with the same core meaning and similar frequency. Minor differences in typical collocates or contextual phrasing may exist.
Connotations
Slightly more informal in British English, but standard in both. No strong regional connotation.
Frequency
Common in both AmE and BrE. Perhaps marginally more frequent in American business and planning contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “figure on” in a Sentence
[Subject] figure on [noun phrase/gerund][Subject] figure on [object pronoun] [present participle][Subject] didn't figure on [noun phrase/gerund]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “figure on” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We didn't figure on the train strike.
- You can figure on him being late.
- I'd figured on spending about fifty quid.
American English
- We didn't figure on the subway delay.
- You can figure on him arriving late.
- I'd figured on spending about fifty dollars.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"We're figuring on a 10% increase in Q3 revenue." Used in forecasts, budgeting, and project planning.
Academic
Less common. Might appear in informal planning discussions among researchers (e.g., "We figured on needing six months for data collection.").
Everyday
"I didn't figure on the traffic being so bad." Used for personal plans and minor expectations.
Technical
Rare in highly technical writing. May appear in project management contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “figure on”
- Using 'figure about' or 'figure for' instead of 'figure on'.
- Confusing it with 'figure out' (to solve/understand).
- Using it in overly formal contexts where 'anticipate' or 'project' would be better.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to informal. It's fine in business meetings and everyday speech, but in very formal written documents, words like 'anticipate', 'project', or 'allow for' might be preferred.
They are very close synonyms. 'Figure on' often relates to planning and including something in your calculations (e.g., time, money). 'Count on' can have a stronger sense of reliance or trust in a person or a guaranteed outcome.
Yes, commonly. E.g., 'We had figured on good weather, so the storm ruined our plans.' The negative form 'hadn't figured on' is very common to express surprise.
No, there is no standard noun form derived from this phrasal verb.
To plan for, expect, or count on something happening.
Figure on: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡər ɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡjər ɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't figure on it! (expressing skepticism)”
- “I hadn't figured on that (expressing unexpected surprise).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FIGURE in a budget plan. You put that figure ON your spreadsheet because you're counting on it.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANNING IS CALCULATION (incorporating a 'figure' into one's mental math).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'figure on' CORRECTLY?