A cunning plan is a clever and often deceptive strategy used to achieve a goal. The term can be broken down into four words: WHEEZE (6 letters), RUSE (4 letters), PLOY (4 letters), and SCHEME (6 letters). WHEEZE is a slang term for a clever or crafty plan, while RUSE is a trick or stratagem used to deceive someone. A PLOY is a clever plan or maneuver, and a SCHEME is a carefully thought-out plan of action. Together, these four words form the term cunning plan.