taking a flyer

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking a flyer" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to taking a risk or making a speculative decision, often in business or investment contexts. Example: "He decided to take a flyer on the new startup, hoping it would pay off." Alternative expressions include "taking a chance" and "rolling the dice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Taking a flyer on Trump actually starts to feel sensible.

The New Yorker

So if your preholiday ambitions include taking a flyer on floor refinishing, burn your plans.

The New York Times

Conversely, there can be huge rewards in taking a flyer on an extreme prognosis and turning out to be right.

The New Yorker

It's often forgotten that the English Pilgrims, before taking a flyer on America, went to Holland in their search for religious freedom.

The New York Times

Their biggest offseason moves were re-signing Avery Bradley to a contract big enough (four years, $32m) that even his biggest supporter (this writer) couldn't fully support it and taking a flyer on the Human Toxic Locker Room Reputation that is Evan Turner.

The Guardian - Sport

"CBS deserves credit for taking a flyer on a promising if unorthodox choice," wrote Brian Lowry in Variety, who viewed the premiere as being "slightly uneven with moments of inspired lunacy and some clear areas for the newbie host to work on".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

They all won Olympic gold medals by barreling down a runway and taking a flying leap into the sand pit.

The New York Times - Sports

The menu creates a similar predicament, beginning with foods and flavorings familiar to Indian menus, then taking a flying leap.

The New York Times

The DSM-5 Work Group is taking a flying leap into the unknown.

Huffington Post

The Seahawks attempted just 12 running plays and wide receiver Tyler Lockett was Seattle's leading rusher taking a fly sweep 13 yards. .

Los Angeles Times

"We took a flyer on him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taking a flyer", ensure the context clearly indicates that a risk or speculative decision is being made, especially in business or investment scenarios.

Common error

Avoid using "taking a flyer" when describing actions that are simply innovative or creative, but do not involve significant risk or potential loss. It's reserved for scenarios with substantial uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking a flyer" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of making a speculative decision or investment with a significant degree of risk. As demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, this phrase typically precedes an explanation of the specific gamble being undertaken.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taking a flyer" is a verb phrase signifying a willingness to accept a considerable risk for the chance of a substantial reward. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and acceptable, although its frequency is uncommon. It is predominantly used in news and media, with a neutral register, making it suitable for a range of communication contexts. While semantically similar phrases like "taking a chance" or "rolling the dice" exist, "taking a flyer" carries its unique connotation of speculative risk-taking in business or investment. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly highlights the high-risk, high-reward nature of the action. Despite its somewhat informal tone, the phrase is widely accepted in professional and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking a chance

Emphasizes the element of luck and uncertainty involved.

rolling the dice

Implies a gamble with unpredictable outcomes.

taking a gamble

Highlights the potential for loss or failure.

making a risky bet

Focuses on the calculated nature of the risk.

speculating

Suggests an investment based on uncertain future prospects.

venturing

Implies boldness and potential danger.

plunging

Conveys a sense of impulsiveness and high risk.

taking a leap of faith

Highlights the lack of evidence or rational basis for the decision.

going out on a limb

Suggests taking a vulnerable position.

playing a long shot

Indicates a low probability of success.

FAQs

What does "taking a flyer" mean?

The phrase "taking a flyer" means taking a risk or making a speculative decision, usually in business or investment, with the hope of a significant payoff despite the uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "taking a flyer"?

You can use alternatives like "taking a chance", "rolling the dice", or "making a risky bet" depending on the context.

How do I use "taking a flyer" in a sentence?

You can use "taking a flyer" to describe an action where someone is knowingly accepting a significant risk for a potential reward. For example, "The company is taking a flyer on a new technology in hopes of gaining a competitive edge".

Is "taking a flyer" formal or informal?

"Taking a flyer" is generally considered informal, though acceptable in many business contexts. More formal alternatives include "making a speculative investment" or "undertaking a high-risk venture".