grand design

noun

1. A large, ambitious plan or scheme that is intended to achieve something important.

   B2

   countable, usually singular

   • "The government's grand design for economic reform met with strong opposition."B2
   • "The artist explained the grand design behind her series of paintings."B2
   • "He has a grand design to transform the city into a green metropolis."C1

2. A plan or purpose believed to be the work of a divine or supernatural power, or of nature, controlling the universe.

   B2

   often capitalized: the Grand Designsometimes formal

   • "Some people see the beauty of nature as evidence of a grand design."B2
   • "The philosopher argued that chance, not a grand design, explains the universe."C1