would not fly

USAGE SUMMARY

"would not fly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is impossible, incorrect, or not accepted. For example: "The proposal to build the factory in a residential area would not fly with the local council."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would not fly".

The New York Times

But that would not fly with the hard Brexiters.

The Guardian - Opinion

I would not fly to space for the food.

The Guardian - Travel

They would not fly off because they are being held down.

Cornell University

He had bought the pigeons in Kilis, he explained, so they would not fly far away.

The New York Times

He said that "anything that doesn't pass the smell test" probably would not fly with him.

The New York Times

Williams had a volatile coaching style, which would not fly at the N.B.A. level.

The New York Times - Sports

"I wanted to audition writers, but it became very clear that would not fly.

The New Yorker

In other words, Miller High Life — the "champagne of beers" — would not fly in Europe.

The Washington Post

"Then I called my manager and said I would not fly anymore".

The New York Times

He said that to avoid paying the fee in the future, he would not fly American.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would not fly" when you want to convey that a plan, idea, or behavior is unacceptable or impossible within a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "would not fly" in situations where you simply mean something is unlikely or improbable, rather than strictly unacceptable. Choose a different idiom like "unlikely to succeed" if there's a chance of success, however slim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not fly" is an idiomatic expression. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that something is impossible, incorrect, or not accepted. Examples show it expressing disapproval or impossibility in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would not fly" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey that something is unacceptable or impossible within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. With its high frequency in news and media, as well as in academic sources, it is important to understand its proper usage. When writing, consider whether a more formal alternative might be appropriate for certain contexts. Avoid misinterpreting the phrase to mean something is simply unlikely, rather than entirely unacceptable. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can effectively use "would not fly" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unacceptable

Directly states the lack of acceptance.

is not viable

Emphasizes the impracticality or infeasibility.

is out of the question

Indicates complete impossibility or rejection.

is a non-starter

Highlights that something will not even begin or be considered.

is not permissible

Focuses on the lack of permission or authorization.

is not on

Informal way of saying something is not allowed or acceptable.

cannot be tolerated

Stresses the inability to accept or endure something.

is simply not done

Highlights a breach of social norms or expectations.

doesn't pass muster

Implies a failure to meet required standards or approval.

is dead in the water

Indicates that something has no chance of succeeding.

FAQs

What does "would not fly" mean?

The phrase "would not fly" means that something is unacceptable, not feasible, or impossible within a particular context or situation.

How can I use "would not fly" in a sentence?

You can say, for example, "His proposal to cut salaries /s/is+unacceptable target="_blank" rel="nofollow">is unacceptable to the union" or "That kind of behavior /s/cannot+be+tolerated" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">cannot be tolerated in this company."

What are some alternatives to saying "would not fly"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is unacceptable", "is not viable", or "is out of the question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "would not fly" a formal or informal expression?

"Would not fly" is considered an informal expression, so it's best suited for casual conversations or writing. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "is unacceptable" or "is not feasible".