fly-by-night

1 of 2

noun

ˈflī-bī-ˌnīt 

1

: one that seeks to evade responsibilities and especially creditors by flight

2

: one without established reputation or standing

especially : a shaky business enterprise

fly-by-night

2 of 2

adjective

1

: given to making a quick profit usually by shady or irresponsible acts

a fly-by-night business

2

: transitory, passing

fly-by-night fashions

Examples of fly-by-night in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rookies or cost-cutting, fly-by-night operators can’t do this. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

At the same time, small fly-by-night schools have been opened by profiteers and people with problematic pasts or no educational experience. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 16 July 2026

Adjective

Consumers can easily spot fly-by-night brands that show up one day, sell as many low-quality products as possible and disappear soon after. — Rytis Lauris, Forbes.com, 18 Feb. 2026

But even before that, AMPAS leaders tackled the issue of moviegoing, since the new fly-by-night entertainment had evolved into an industry. — Tim Gray, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fly-by-night

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite