fly-by-night

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fly-by-night ventures got the headlines, but they were small compared to the behemoths.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 31, 2025

But the most important part of James Carson's lecture was his final warning to get-rich-quick U.S. investors: "Fly-by-night ventures looking to quick turn overs and exorbitant profits" had better stay out.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fly-by-night operators flourish in Florida, where policing is spotty at best.

From Time Magazine Archive

The midnight town express, whose shrieking rush they sometimes woke from their dreams to hear, was the Fearsome Fly-by-night.

From The Railway Children by Nesbit, E. (Edith)

I call him Mr. Fly-by-night, because he got his dander up about something or nothin', and skipped out one night without so much's sayin'—" "O, Maria, come off.

From Si Klegg, Book 5 (of 6) The Deacon's Adventures At Chattanooga In Caring For The Boys by McElroy, John