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
Some team that misses out on Sanders or Ward might move up to the late first round and take a flier.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 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
Some team that misses out on Sanders or Ward might move up to the late first round and take a flier.
—Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Take a flier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20flier. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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