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
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Along with Suggs, the Magic would need to give 2 or 3 first round picks, Black, at least one of their three centers, and some combination of salary filler/young players Cleveland can try to take a flier on.
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Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 29 May 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
Instead, the Yankees should call the Dodgers — who have tons of depth in the starting pitching department — and take a flier on 2022 All-Star right-hander Tony Gonsolin.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 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
Some team has to take a flier on a defenseman still a couple years away from his prime, right?
—Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 29 Aug. 2024
Which means the Knicks can either trade for a center (during the offseason or ahead of the mid-February trade deadline), re-sign Achiuwa, take a flier on a minimum player — or take a flier on one of the two big men making a case for a roster spot in Las Vegas.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 July 2024
Why not take a flier late in the first or second round?
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 25 June 2024
His athleticism intrigued the coaching staff enough to take a flier on him, drafting him in the seventh round.
—Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023
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Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 29 May 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
Instead, the Yankees should call the Dodgers — who have tons of depth in the starting pitching department — and take a flier on 2022 All-Star right-hander Tony Gonsolin.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 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
Some team has to take a flier on a defenseman still a couple years away from his prime, right?
—Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 29 Aug. 2024
Which means the Knicks can either trade for a center (during the offseason or ahead of the mid-February trade deadline), re-sign Achiuwa, take a flier on a minimum player — or take a flier on one of the two big men making a case for a roster spot in Las Vegas.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 July 2024
Why not take a flier late in the first or second round?
—Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 25 June 2024
His athleticism intrigued the coaching staff enough to take a flier on him, drafting him in the seventh round.
—Usa Today Network, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Take a flier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20a%20flier. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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