take a flier
idiom
US, informal
: to do something that could have either good or bad results : to gamble on something risky
He took a flier in politics soon after getting his degree.
—often + onInvestors have been unwilling to take a flier on such a small and unproven company.
Examples of take a flier in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There should be teams around the league willing to take a flier on a young wing with that size, despite a lackluster production level in Dallas.
—
Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Despite this, the Commanders still decided to take a flier on him with a late-round pick.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
She’s struggled this season, but is the type of player teams could look to take a flier on.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
To turn those into two players to take a flier on, including a pitcher who has a handful of big-league appearances, is a solid low-risk return.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Still, just two years removed from the early heights of his MLB career, the Dodgers were willing to take a flier on the once-promising talent, only giving up minor-league pitcher Mike Villani (a 13th-round pick in last year’s draft) in return.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
One more reason to take a flier on SGA to reach 40 points: He's hit this milestone 11 times this year in 62 games (including three times since March 3).
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
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Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Despite this, the Commanders still decided to take a flier on him with a late-round pick.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
She’s struggled this season, but is the type of player teams could look to take a flier on.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
To turn those into two players to take a flier on, including a pitcher who has a handful of big-league appearances, is a solid low-risk return.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Still, just two years removed from the early heights of his MLB career, the Dodgers were willing to take a flier on the once-promising talent, only giving up minor-league pitcher Mike Villani (a 13th-round pick in last year’s draft) in return.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
One more reason to take a flier on SGA to reach 40 points: He's hit this milestone 11 times this year in 62 games (including three times since March 3).
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Take a flier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20flier. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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