Welcome to our fun exploration of idioms related to flying! Idioms are expressions that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have a hidden or special meaning that people understand through common use. Today, we’ll look at some idioms that use the word “flight” or are about flying. Get ready to soar through these phrases and learn how to use them in your conversations!
Flight Idioms
Here are 20 flight idioms in English.
1. Miss the boat
Meaning: To lose an opportunity
Example: He missed the boat on that deal.
2. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy
Example: She was on cloud nine after the news.
3. Pie in the sky
Meaning: An unrealistic hope
Example: His startup idea is pie in the sky.
4. Fly off the handle
Meaning: To suddenly become angry
Example: He flew off the handle yesterday.
5. Fly on the wall
Meaning: An unnoticed observer
Example: I wish I were a fly on the wall.
6. Wing it
Meaning: To improvise
Example: I didn’t study, so I winged it.
7. Fly by night
Meaning: Untrustworthy
Example: That contractor is fly by night.
8. In full flight
Meaning: Fully engaged or retreating
Example: They left the scene in full flight.
9. Take flight
Meaning: To flee or run away
Example: The thief took flight when spotted.
10. High-flyer
Meaning: A person who is ambitious
Example: He’s a real high-flyer in finance.
11. Flight of fancy
Meaning: An unrealistic idea or fantasy
Example: That plan is a flight of fancy.
12. Clip someone’s wings
Meaning: Limit someone’s freedom
Example: His parents clipped his wings early.
13. On a wing and a prayer
Meaning: Hoping for success with little chance
Example: We finished the project on a wing and a prayer.
14. Spread one’s wings
Meaning: Start to be independent
Example: She spread her wings and moved abroad.
15. Clear for takeoff
Meaning: Ready to begin
Example: The project is clear for takeoff.
16. First flight
Meaning: First experience
Example: He’s on his first flight in business.
17. Flight risk
Meaning: Likely to escape or flee
Example: He was denied bail as a flight risk.
18. Flight path
Meaning: The usual route
Example: The storm altered the flight path.
19. Smooth sailing
Meaning: Without difficulties
Example: It’s been smooth sailing so far.
20. Crash and burn
Meaning: Fail spectacularly
Example: Their new venture crashed and burned.
