flying blind


fly blind

1. To fly an airplane in extremely low visibility, relying on the plane's instruments instead. The huge plume of ash sent into the air by the volcano forced the pilots to fly blind.2. By extension, to do something based on guesswork, intuition, or without any help or instructions. Since this is our first attempt at developing an app, we'll be flying blind as we figure out how to get things working correctly. I've never filed my own taxes before, so I'm sort of flying blind.See also: blind, fly

flying blind

Proceeding by guesswork, groping one’s way. The term originated during World War I and alluded to poor visibility. Later it was extended to other enterprises, as in, “My predecessor quit without leaving any instructions, so for this first department meeting I’m flying blind.” See also by the seat of one's pants.See also: blind, flying