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

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