Fairweather friend: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Fairweather friend” mean?

"Fairweather friend" means a person who is only a friend when things are going well, but abandons you during difficult times.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I thought she was my best friend, but she turned out to be a fairweather friend when I needed her the most.

Example

He's always there for me when life is good, but he's a fairweather friend who disappears when I face challenges.

Example

I realized that she was just a fairweather friend when she stopped talking to me after I lost my job

Is “Fairweather friend” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Fairweather friend” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Fairweather friend” effectively in context?

You can use "Fairweather Friend" to describe someone who is only a friend when things are going well, but abandons you during difficult times. For example, if a friend is unreliable and disappears when you need support, you might say, 'Don't count on him, he's just a fairweather friend.'

• 1. Friendship

  I thought she was my best friend, but she turned out to be a fairweather friend when I needed her the most.

• 2. Support

  He's always there for me when life is good, but he's a fairweather friend who disappears when I face challenges.

• 3. Trust

  I realized that she was just a fairweather friend when she stopped talking to me after I lost my job.

Similar phrases to “Fairweather friend”:

User-friendly

Easy to use or understand

Example

The new software is designed to be user-friendly for beginners.

Fair-weather fan

A person who supports a team or a person only when they are winning or successful

Example

He's not a true fan, just a fair-weather fan who jumps on the bandwagon when the team is doing well.

Two-faced

Deceptive or hypocritical, showing one face to someone and another face to others

Example

I can't trust her, she's so two-faced.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Fairweather friend” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Fairweather Friend" is unknown.

Is “Fairweather friend” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Fairweather Friend" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe someone who is not reliable or supportive during difficult times.

What tone does “Fairweather friend” have?

"Fairweather Friend" conveys a tone of disappointment and betrayal. It's often used to express frustration or hurt feelings when someone who was expected to be a true friend turns out to be unreliable.

Can “Fairweather friend” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "fairweather friend" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a widely understood expression that describes a specific type of friendship. You can use it in casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal situations such as discussions about relationships or personal experiences.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She proved to be a fairweather friend when she disappeared during my difficult times.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He's just a "fairweather friend".' to imply disappointment in someone's lack of support.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• fake friend
• opportunistic friend
• convenient friend
• superficial friend
• conditional friend

Antonyms

• true friend
• loyal friend
• supportive friend
• reliable friend
• steadfast friend