Have you ever seen someone trying to do something you knew would not work? For example, your classmate might have tried to finish a 10-page research paper within a few hours. You knew that would be impossible. In this kind of situation, you say, “it’s not going to fly!” So, what does this expression exactly mean? Continue reading to learn the meaning and origin of this popular English idiom, not going to fly.
Learn English Idiom: Not Going to Fly
Not Going to Fly Meaning
English idioms and expressions can be tricky. You might know all the words in the phrase, but you still don’t really know what it means. Don’t worry, because that’s normal, especially if English is not your first language. Learning idioms and commonly used expressions will really boost your vocabulary and English speaking skills. So, let’s learn this idiom, not going to fly, means in detail.
Not Going to Fly Meaning
Not Going to Fly Meaning
Not going to fly describes something that is not going to work or is basically impossible to do.
As mentioned earlier, a 10-page research paper is impossible to finish in a few hours. Another example would be trying to fit in so much information into a 45-minute meeting. The limited amount of time makes it impossible to cover many topics.
Not Going to Fly Origin
The expression, not going to fly, was first seen in the late 1800s with the development of airplanes. Before the first airplane that actually worked, many designs were developed and tested. The earlier designs weren’t going to fly because they weren’t developed correctly. It was impossible to stay in the air!
A fun fact about flying is that the first airplane that actually flew was invented in 1903 by the Wright brothers. Before then, hot air balloon was a popular transportation method, especially in Europe.
Other Forms
Depending on the sentence, you can also say wasn’t going to fly, was never going to fly, and isn’t going to fly.
Not Going to Fly Examples
Are you looking for not going to fly in a sentence? Check out these example sentences using not going to fly.
- Are you planning to get that assignment done at the last minute? I’m telling you, it’s not going to fly.
- This project isn’t going to fly unless we hire a few more people to help.
- Did you just yell at your classmate? That kind of attitude is not going to fly in my classroom. Say sorry to her.
- Once the company realized that the project wasn’t going to fly, it ordered the Business Development team to contact the clients.
- Our product is doing great in Asia, but it’s not going to fly in America.
Not Going to Fly Meaning and Origin
Other English Idioms and Expressions
If you are trying to improve your vocabulary, try learning more idioms!
FAQs About Not Going to Fly Meaning
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the English expression, not going to fly.
What does not going to fly mean?
Not going to fly means that something is impossible or is not going to work.
What is an example of not going to fly?
Not going to fly in a sentence:
- Studying the night before the exam is just not going to fly.
- I want to work from home too! But unless my boss approves, it’s not going to fly.
- When he said he was going to pull an all-nighter for that assignment, I knew it wasn’t going to fly.
What are some synonyms for not going to fly?
Not going to fly synonyms: impossible, not working, undoable, can’t accomplish, and insolvable.
Not Going to Fly Meaning: Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on this English expression? Can you think of a situation where you might say, “it’s not going to fly!” to your friends or coworkers? If yes, let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you. Also, if there is another English idiom you want to learn, don’t hesitate to tell us! We will help you learn everything English.
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