on the fly

Idioms  

1. In a hurry, on the run, as in I picked up some groceries on the fly. The transfer of this expression, which literally means “in midair or in flight,” dates from the mid-1800s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the fly

But in fairness to the state party, which had to create this process on the fly, Platner’s implosion left no good options.

From Slate ● Jul. 16, 2026

The justices do this increasingly on the fly and in the dark.

From Slate ● Jul. 2, 2026

The director also grabbed images on the fly, using his iPhone during location scouting to get close-ups of the insects and on set during forest chases.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

Driving interventions were for things such as parking spots or adjusting the route on the fly.

From Barron's ● May 3, 2026

Meals usually consisted of a daily fast-food stop at lunchtime; everything else was more or less on the fly.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz