1
: one that seeks to evade responsibilities and especially creditors by flight
2
: one without established reputation or standing
especially
: a shaky business enterprise
1
: given to making a quick profit usually by shady or irresponsible acts
2
: transitory, passing
fly-by-night fashions
Examples of fly-by-night in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
To execute the way the Eagles and Chiefs did Sunday is hardly fly-by-night.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025
Eggers is the opposite of a fly-by-night filmmaker, and each of his previous three movies were the result of careful storyboarding, intense historical research, and immersive design.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
But fake paramours, fly-by-night contractors, bogus handymen and shady housing professionals are guilty, too.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Much as Craven may deplore the emergence of large agencies that have taken over their competitors, companies like Allied Universal absorbed many of these fly-by-night outfits, requiring at least a modicum of training where there had been less.
—Harper’s Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
The other issue is that once the use of generative AI via phone becomes a common practice, fly-by-nights could set up similar arrangements.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
That someone was Gary Paxton, one of the true eccentrics in the early fly-by-night Hollywood rock ‘n’ roll industry.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Oftentimes fly-by-night quarterback Jameis Winston energized a seemingly down-and-out Browns team in his first start for the team — his first start anywhere in more than two years.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Tim Gray, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2023
But now, allowing every fly-by-night oversees judgment-proof vendor to ship sales directly into American households is Customs anarchy.
—Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
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Noun
And avoid local, fly-by-night or unlicensed providers that might be cheaper, but could expose you to more danger.
Don't forget travel insurance
A reliable policy will cover more than just medical expenses in case you get injured.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
To execute the way the Eagles and Chiefs did Sunday is hardly fly-by-night.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2025
Eggers is the opposite of a fly-by-night filmmaker, and each of his previous three movies were the result of careful storyboarding, intense historical research, and immersive design.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
But fake paramours, fly-by-night contractors, bogus handymen and shady housing professionals are guilty, too.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
Much as Craven may deplore the emergence of large agencies that have taken over their competitors, companies like Allied Universal absorbed many of these fly-by-night outfits, requiring at least a modicum of training where there had been less.
—Harper’s Magazine, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
The other issue is that once the use of generative AI via phone becomes a common practice, fly-by-nights could set up similar arrangements.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
That someone was Gary Paxton, one of the true eccentrics in the early fly-by-night Hollywood rock ‘n’ roll industry.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Oftentimes fly-by-night quarterback Jameis Winston energized a seemingly down-and-out Browns team in his first start for the team — his first start anywhere in more than two years.
—Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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
But now, allowing every fly-by-night oversees judgment-proof vendor to ship sales directly into American households is Customs anarchy.
—Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Fly-by-night.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fly-by-night. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.
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