does not fly with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not fly with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not acceptable or does not meet approval. Example: "His excuse for being late does not fly with the manager, who expects punctuality from all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He does not fly with the poor people.

The Guardian - Sport

But that argument does not fly with the Koreans.

The New York Times

And if local corruption was suspected to be behind the collapse of so many shoddy school buildings, how much worse it would be without those good men at the top.This approach does not fly with the Wenzhou crash.

The Economist

Trying to take a little of that hardcore biker cred for oneself, apparently, does not fly with the Hells Angels.

Huffington Post

Nice guys finish last is the slogan constantly used for guys in order to get girls but, that does not fly with the nerdy girls because they do not like the mean guy they want guys whom are nice and kind so, if you think faking nice to get them is the key wrong!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"The Democratic bird doesn't fly with one wing, it needs to have all its wings," Mr. Lieberman continued.

The New York Times

"The response — of holding the state budget basically harmless — just doesn't fly with people who are cutting salaries, laying people off and aren't sure where their business is going".

The New York Times

"While this plays well in the press, it doesn't fly with seasoned investors.

TechCrunch

He was also starting to figure out, along with a number of other emu ranchers in the mid-1990s, that meat of the flightless animal, despite being low in fat and cholesterol, doesn't fly with diners.

Forbes

Seating doesn't fly with traveler.

Los Angeles Times

It just doesn't fly with me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not fly with" to express that an idea, excuse, or proposition is unlikely to be accepted or believed by someone. This phrase is most effective in informal or semi-formal contexts, as it adds a touch of colloquialism.

Common error

Avoid using "does not fly with" in highly formal or professional documents. Opt for more direct and professional alternatives such as "is unacceptable" or "is not approved".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not fly with" functions as an idiomatic expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is unacceptable or does not meet approval. Examples show it used when ideas, excuses, or behaviors are rejected.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not fly with" is an idiom used to express that something is unacceptable or unlikely to be believed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It functions as a relatively informal way to convey disapproval, with more formal alternatives including "is unacceptable to" or "is not approved by". While grammatically sound, the expression is relatively infrequent, appearing mostly in news and media contexts. Be mindful of the level of formality when using this phrase, as it is best suited for informal or semi-formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unacceptable to

Replaces the idiom with a more direct and formal expression of non-acceptance.

is not acceptable to

Replaces the idiom with a more direct and formal expression of non-acceptance.

is not well-received by

Indicates a lack of positive reception, softening the rejection.

is not approved by

Focuses specifically on the lack of official or formal endorsement.

is rejected by

A direct synonym, implying a firm refusal or dismissal.

doesn't sit well with

Emphasizes discomfort or unease with the idea, rather than outright rejection.

is not persuasive to

Highlights a failure to convince someone, rather than a blanket rejection.

fails to convince

Focuses on the lack of persuasive power, implying disagreement or doubt.

is untenable for

Suggests the idea is impractical or impossible to maintain.

is out of the question for

Expresses a firm and absolute refusal, leaving no room for negotiation.

FAQs

What does "does not fly with" mean?

The expression "does not fly with" means something is not acceptable, believable, or does not meet approval. It suggests an idea or excuse is likely to be rejected.

What can I say instead of "does not fly with"?

You can use alternatives like "is unacceptable to", "is not approved by", or "doesn't sit well with" depending on the context.

Is "does not fly with" formal or informal?

"Does not fly with" is generally considered an informal or semi-formal expression. In formal contexts, it's better to use more direct and professional alternatives.

How can I use "does not fly with" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "His excuse for being late "does not fly with" the manager, who expects punctuality from all employees."