| 释义 |
fly-by-night
I. \ˈflībəˌnīt, usu -nīd.+V\ noun
1. : one given to being abroad at night
2. also fly-by-night·er \|flībə|nīd.ə(r), -nītə-\
a. : one that escapes at night from his creditors
b. : one without established reputation or standing and therefore regarded as a poor risk (as for credit or future productivity)
3. : a square sail sometimes spread on fore-and-aft-rigged ships when running before the wind
II. adjective
1. of a business enterprise or promoter : established or prepared to take advantage of an opportunity for immediate profit and often shady or irresponsible and inadequately financed for stability
< a fly-by-night salesman >
< fly-by-night insurance plans >
< a fly-by-night cut-rate drugstore >
2. : transitory, passing
< a fly-by-night political disorder >
: unreliable, unstable
< the symphony was no fly-by-night venture — Green Peyton > |