fair-weather friend
A friend who supports others only when it is easy and convenient to do so: “I thought Gene would always stick by me, but when I got into trouble, he turned out to be a fair-weather friend.”
Words Nearby fair-weather friend
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
How to use fair-weather friend in a sentence
She was not a fair-weather friend, and since Jennie was good enough to offer her a home she felt she ought to go at once.
The Amazing Interlude | Mary Roberts RinehartShe is a fair-weather friend, and shrinks with the most charming frankness from those on whom dark days have fallen.
The Girl of the Period and Other Social Essays, Vol. II (of 2) | Eliza Lynn LintonNow all was well once more and Mrs. Ward, who had been no fair-weather friend to Italy, rejoiced with all her heart.
The Life of Mrs. Humphry Ward | Janet Penrose Trevelyan"Ask him what he wants," I cried, turning to our fair-weather friend, the cook.
Hilda Wade | Grant AllenCould they drive a wedge between us by showing that we were a fair-weather friend whom any stress would alienate.
The German War | Arthur Conan Doyle
Other Idioms and Phrases with fair-weather friend
A person who is dependable in good times but is not in times of trouble. For example, You can't rely on Sarah—she's strictly a fair-weather friend. This expression likens fair weather to good times. [Early 1700s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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