fair-weather friend

Meaning

A 'fair-weather friend' is someone who is only helpful, supportive, or friendly when times are good, easy, and convenient. As soon as you experience difficulties, trouble, or need actual help, this person disappears or stops supporting you.

Examples

• I thought Mike was a close buddy, but he turned out to be just a fair-weather friend.

  I thought Mike was a close buddy, but he turned out to be just a fair-weather friend.

• A true friend stands by you during tough times, unlike a fair-weather friend.

  A true friend stands by you during tough times, unlike a fair-weather friend.

• When I lost my job, all my fair-weather friends suddenly stopped calling me.

  When I lost my job, all my fair-weather friends suddenly stopped calling me.

• She realized who her real friends were and who the fair-weather friends were after her accident.

  She realized who her real friends were and who the fair-weather friends were after her accident.

• I don't need fair-weather friends who only show up when I'm throwing a party.

  I don't need fair-weather friends who only show up when I'm throwing a party.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He is a good-weather friend.

  ✓ He is a fair-weather friend.

  The idiom specifically uses 'fair-weather' (an old-fashioned term for pleasant weather), not 'good-weather' or 'nice-weather'.

• ✗ He only helps me when I have problems, he is a fair-weather friend.

  ✓ He only stays around when things are going well, he is a fair-weather friend.

  A fair-weather friend does not help during problems; they are only present during easy times.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He disappeared the moment I needed help moving; he's such a __________.

  💡 Someone who is only there for you when it is easy.

  Show answer

  fair-weather friend

• I prefer having two loyal companions over a dozen __________.

  💡 Make sure to pluralize the noun to match the sentence structure.

  Show answer

  fair-weather friends