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What does “the plot thickens” mean?

Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.

C1

Used to say a situation is becoming more complicated or mysterious

“And then, the plot thickens: he never actually sent the email.”

From the C1 lesson Telling a Good Story (storytelling).

Quick check

What does “the plot thickens” mean?

Teaching this phrase?“the plot thickens” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
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