adapt on the fly

USAGE SUMMARY

"adapt on the fly" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you need to make quick changes or adjustments as the situation develops. For example, "We had to adapt on the fly when a key piece of equipment broke down in the middle of the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Rather than simply scanning in copies of multiple choice examinations, some test makers have prepared adaptive tests, meaning that they are designed to adapt, on the fly, to the ability of the person taking the test.

The New York Times

The ability and willingness to adapt on the fly to the writers' desires is one of the most important skills a cast member can acquire, and it's what makes Thompson indispensable, Hammond told me.

Huffington Post

You have to be available to adapt on the fly.

The New York Times

The company's human-machine teams can adapt on the fly.

Harvard Business Review

Above all, they've learned how to adapt on the fly without losing their cool.

Princeton University

"We had to adapt on the fly," a Pentagon official said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The eForm adapts on-the-fly to previous clinical data entry, using underlying multi-level conditional branching, prompting context-specific clinical decision support functionalities for the nursing staff.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

But the EPFL researches came up with something more flexible, in which cars communicate continually with those around them in close proximity, adapting on the fly so that they aren't solely reliant on one centralized leader or control center.

TechCrunch

It is adapting on the fly.

The New York Times

Adapting on the fly has been a necessity this season for St . Johns, too.

The New York Times - Sports

The system, "adapts on the fly to current network and buffers conditions," enabling smoother streaming than other methods.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adapt on the fly" to describe situations requiring agility and immediate adjustments, such as in rapidly changing project environments or crisis management.

Common error

Avoid using "adapt on the fly" in highly formal or academic writing. More sophisticated or technical vocabulary may be more appropriate, depending on the specific discipline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adapt on the fly" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the ability to adjust or modify something quickly and spontaneously in response to changing circumstances. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adapt on the fly" is a correct and usable phrase that describes the ability to make quick and spontaneous adjustments in response to changing circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, its usage should be carefully considered in highly formal contexts. Alternatives like "adjust rapidly" or "dynamically adjust" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. The phrase is a powerful way to convey agility and responsiveness, and its understanding is enhanced through real-world examples and practical writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adjust rapidly

Emphasizes speed of adjustment, without the improvisational aspect.

dynamically adjust

Focuses on the dynamic and ongoing nature of the adjustment.

improvise solutions

Focuses on creating solutions without prior planning.

modify instantly

Emphasizes immediacy of modification, less on the reasons.

react immediately

Highlights the speed of reaction, less about adaptation.

change course quickly

Focuses on changing direction swiftly, not necessarily adapting.

revise instantaneously

Highlights speed of revision, and suggests a more formal adaptation.

pivot swiftly

Implies a strategic change of direction in response to circumstances.

alter promptly

Stresses quick alteration, without specifying the adaptive reason.

shift gears rapidly

Highlights a change in approach or strategy, implying quickness.

FAQs

How can I use "adapt on the fly" in a sentence?

You can use "adapt on the fly" to describe a situation where someone needs to make quick changes or adjustments as the situation develops. For example: "We had to adapt on the fly when the project requirements changed unexpectedly."

What does "adapt on the fly" mean?

"Adapt on the fly" means to adjust or modify something quickly and spontaneously, as needed, in response to changing circumstances or new information.

What can I say instead of "adapt on the fly"?

You can use alternatives like "adjust rapidly", "improvise solutions", or "dynamically adjust" depending on the context.

Is "adapt on the fly" formal or informal?

"Adapt on the fly" is generally considered informal to neutral. While understandable in most contexts, more formal language may be preferred in academic or highly professional settings.