back-up plan

(noun) a plan in case something bad happens

Example Sentences:

A: I want to go to Harvard University to study medicine.
B: Do you have a back-up plan in case you don’t get in?
A: Yeah, I’m going to be a singer instead.

Father: What do you want to do when you grow up, son?
Son: I want to play guitar in a band and become famous.
Father: That’s very difficult. Do you have a back-up plan?
Son: Yeah, I want to marry a rich old woman!

The family made plans to go to Mexico, but had a back-up plan in case they had to cancel their vacation.

Similar idioms:

1. plan B
2. get through
3. like father, like son
4. back off
5. the straw that broke the camel’s back
6. give someone the go ahead