A Fair Weather Friend Idiom Meaning, Definition, Example

The idiom ‘A Fair Weather Friend’, is symbolic of a person who is only there for you when things are going well, but disappears when you are facing difficulties or challenges. Therefore, the idiom warns you that the person is not reliable or trustworthy during tough times and only wants to be around when things are easy and enjoyable.

The phrase “fair weather friend” has been in use since the 1700s from the habit of a sailor who only comes on board a ship during good weather conditions and leaves when the weather turns bad. 

Also Read: Useful Idioms with Examples, Sentences and Meanings

Usage with Examples

Nowadays, the usage of the idiom is suitable to describe opportunists who are not dependable or loyal during difficult times and only want to associate with others during good times.

Let’s take a closer look at the examples given below to master the usage of the idiom A Fair Weather Friend:

• Mark only hung out with his friends when they had money to spend on fancy dinners and parties. He was a fair-weather friend who disappeared when they were broke.
• When Tom lost his job, his so-called friends stopped calling him and avoided him like the plague. They were nothing but fair-weather friends.
• Sarah was always happy to be around her friends when they were happy and carefree, but as soon as they started to face challenges, she would disappear. She was a classic fair-weather friend.

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A Fair Weather Friend Synonyms

You can also use these synonymous words instead of saying A Fair Weather Friend in a conversation:

• Opportunist
• User
• Fickle
• Self-centred
• Inconsistent

A Fair Weather Friend Meaning Quiz

Choose the most appropriate option to complete the given sentence: “Jane turned out to be a fair-weather friend when…”

• Her friend hit a rough patch and needed emotional support.
• She decided to join a sports club. 
• Her friend offered some money during her tough times. 

Answer: Her friend hit a rough patch and needed emotional support

Also Read: Idioms for IELTS

This was all about the idiom A Fair Weather Friend’s meaning and definition with examples. Hopefully, you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu.