on the fly

• Umgangssprachlicher Ausdruck dafür, etwas schnell und spontan zu tun, ohne vorherige Vorbereitung oder Planung, oft während sich eine Situation gerade entwickelt.

An informal expression meaning to do something quickly and spontaneously, without prior preparation or planning, often while the situation is unfolding.

1. While in motion or without stoppingB2informal

   Doing something quickly and without preparation, often while moving or while something else is happening.

   Im Handumdrehen

   • He ate his breakfast on the fly before catching the bus.
   • The programmer fixed the bug on the fly during the live demo.
   • She made decisions on the fly as the situation changed.

2. Improvising or adaptingB2informal

   Dealing with a situation as it happens, without prior planning.

   Aus dem Stegreif

   • The comedian worked on the fly, responding to the audience's reactions.
   • We didn't have a script, so we just acted on the fly.
   • The chef created a new dish on the fly using leftover ingredients.