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

Strip the entire operation down to the chassis, scrap every piece of worth for real prospect capital, and kill off this franchise’s addiction to fly-by-night decision-making. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 July 2026

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

Adjective

Its advisory board includes OG cryptographer Bruce Schneier and tech theorist Clay Shirky—neither of whom has a track record of attaching their name to fly-by-night projects. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

That is how uninsured crews, unlicensed operators and fly-by-night outfits win jobs. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

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