flying visit

USAGE SUMMARY

'flying visit' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means that someone is making a very short visit somewhere, usually with very little advance warning and not for very long. For example, "We made a flying visit to the city this morning to visit a few friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a flying visit too.

The Guardian - Business

The flying visit is over!

The Guardian - Business

It will be another flying visit.

The Guardian - Travel

Clearly it was time for a flying visit to Berlin.

The Guardian - Arts

Khan's homecoming turned out to be little more than a flying visit.

Independent

No doubt much of the fault was ours; it was, after all, just a flying visit.

Independent

She writes:  Government officials are holding much in store in the French president's flying visit.

The Guardian - Business

We caught two bands last night, which isn't bad going for such a flying visit.

The Guardian - Travel

And, this week, Madeleine Albright, the secretary of state, paid a flying visit to the two capitals.

The Economist

Meanwhile, the Barbican has had a flying visit from Hamlet, as envisaged by the diehard avant-gardist Thomas Ostermeier.

Independent

May's flying visit to Germany on Thursday to see Angela Merkel showed where the real power lies in Europe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flying visit", ensure the context clearly indicates the visit is short and likely unexpected or not pre-planned. Use it to convey efficiency or a rushed nature.

Common error

Avoid using "flying visit" if the stay involves multiple days or significant activities. It is best suited for visits lasting only a few hours or a single day at most.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flying visit" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a brief or hurried visit. For example, 'Angela Merkel looks set to deliver a masterclass in international politics when she pays a "flying visit" to David Cameron in Downing Street on Wednesday'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Travel

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flying visit" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a short, often hurried, visit. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning is clear and consistently applied across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to reserve its use for visits of short duration, typically lasting a day or less. Alternatives such as "quick trip" or "brief stop" can be considered for slight variations in emphasis. Overall, "flying visit" remains a reliable and efficient way to communicate the brevity of a visit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick trip

This alternative is a more general and straightforward way to describe a short visit.

brief stop

Focuses on the brevity of the visit, highlighting the short duration of the stay.

whistle-stop tour

Implies a very fast-paced visit with multiple locations or activities.

short stay

Emphasizes the limited amount of time spent at a particular location.

hasty visit

Suggests the visit was done quickly, possibly due to urgency.

fleeting visit

Highlights the transient and ephemeral nature of the visit.

speedy trip

Focuses on the speed and efficiency of the travel.

express visit

Suggests a visit that is direct and without unnecessary delays.

lightning visit

Implies a very quick and sudden appearance.

stopover

Describes a brief pause in a longer journey.

FAQs

What does "flying visit" mean?

A "flying visit" refers to a very short visit, often unexpected, usually lasting only a few hours or a single day.

How can I use "flying visit" in a sentence?

You might say, "She made a "flying visit" to London to see her family." It indicates a brief and quick trip.

What can I say instead of "flying visit"?

You can use alternatives like "quick trip", "brief stop", or "whistle-stop tour" depending on the context.

Is "flying visit" formal or informal?

"Flying visit" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards informal usage.