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fly-by-night

This expression has broadened to mean any of these:
A person or business that appears and disappears rapidly;
Someone who departs or flees at night in order to avoid creditors, law enforcement etc.
A dishonest or unreliable person selling something to make a quick profit
A transient or traveling salesmen or businessmen, tradesmen;
A business that appears to have little or no chance of success

Etymology:

  • This is an old term which referred to an old woman who was assumed to be like a witch. Since witches are supposed to fly at night on their typical broom, the term was used in the same context for anyone who flies or runs away immediately from place or activity. The term was much used later in 19th century for business or people who used to run away or fly at night to avoid confrontation with creditors, angry customers and/or law enforcement after making (usually false) promises to their customers.
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Do not give your credit card number to that fly-by-night operation.

Submitted on September 01, 2009

Modified by TriplePurple on December 29, 2023

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    "fly-by-night." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/fly-by-night_3683>.

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