fair-weather friend

fair-weather friend

Someone who remains a friend only when things are going well but abandons others during times of trouble or difficulty. I thought Allison and I had a strong friendship, but I learned she was just another fair-weather friend when she stopped talking to me after my divorce.
See also: friend
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fair-weather friend

Fig. someone who is your friend only when things are pleasant or going well for you. Bill stayed for lunch but he wouldn't help me with the yard work. He's just a fair-weather friend. A fair-weather friend isn't much help in an emergency.
See also: friend
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

fair-weather friend

A person who is dependable in good times but is not in times of trouble. For example, You can't rely on Sarah-she's strictly a fair-weather friend. This expression likens fair weather to good times. [Early 1700s]
See also: friend
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a fair-weather friend

someone who cannot be relied on in a crisis.
1998 Spectator The Americans gave up supplying gold on demand to other countries' central banks at £35 an ounce…when their fair-weather friends from London threatened to turn up and clean them out.
See also: friend
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

a ˌfair-weather ˈfriend

(disapproving) somebody who is only a friend when it is pleasant for them, and stops being a friend when you are in trouble: I really thought she’d be here to help me, but it seems that she’s just a fair-weather friend.
See also: friend
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fair-weather friend

A friend who is faithful in good times but fails you in time of trouble. It is the opposite of a friend in need is a friend indeed. The transfer of “fair weather” to “good times” presumably occurred long before, but the adjectival application to a friend of dubious loyalty did not take place until the early eighteenth century.
See also: friend
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • a fair-weather friend
  • fairweather
  • fair-weather
  • a walking disaster
  • save (one's) own skin
  • save skin
  • heaping Pelion upon Ossa
  • half the trouble of (something)
  • save someone's skin
  • on red alert
References in periodicals archive
Whilst someone may be revealed as being a fair-weather friend, in the weeks to come a tie with another pal, can go from strength to strength.
Your Stars
Krupp is more than a fair-weather friend of astronomy at Griffith Observatory.
Weathering the stars: ancient astronomers tuned into the Pleiades for a seasonal forecast
can now demonstrate that it isn't the fair-weather friend Pakistanis fear, or the patron of any individual leader, but a respectful ally of the Pakistani people.
U.S. editorial excerpts -7-
"It's typical of the fair-weather friend. If the U.S.
GMAC EXECUTIVE: FURNITURE VENDORS MISS EXPORT BENEFITS; THE FACTORING FIRM'S PRESIDENT SAYS THE MANUFACTURERS ARE HOLDING BACK ON SELLING ABROAD
She's no fair-weather friend; we are true sisters and I would fight for her." The pair has very different personalities.
'Sistah celebrities' and their 'best girlfriend'
The Minister said Australia had graduated from being a "fair-weather friend" to an "all-weather friend" of Asia.
A top year for Southcorp
The union leadership couldn't help being flattered by the oratorical bouquets, but the past five years have shown the Clinton Administration to be a fair-weather friend. "What they told us this week was wonderful," said A.F.L.-C.I.O.
Labor days of outrage
I guess you could say I was running's fair-weather friend, but I know, like me, more fall under this category.
Staying Fit: Give your running routine the right kind of boost
ISLAMABAD -- The Awami Muslim League chief, Sheikh Rashid , while terming Maulana Fazlur Rehman a 'fair-weather friend', said that he would leave Nawaz Sharif anytime since he could not stand with allies in difficult times.
Sh Rashid predicts Fazl will leave Nawaz
BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra said this was not the first time Shourie has criticised the BJP and went on to attack him instead, describing him as a "fair-weather friend".
BJP shields Prime Minister Narendra Modi from surprise attack by party ex-minister
For weekly stars call 09050 700 408 Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 20 A fair-weather friend might try to corner you into loaning them something precious.
STARS
Author Snyder also offers her readers a simple and direct language that children can relate to and that makes it easy for them to grasp the concept of a fair-weather friend.
Beyond Bullying, Fair Weather Friends: Loony Lori Published by Outskirts Press
CANCER Jun 22nd - Jul 23rd While someone may be revealed as being a fair-weather friend, a tie with another pal can get stronger.
Yourstars with Patrick Arundell
I am not a fair-weather friend, so amid the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) brouhaha, I'm standing by its chief operating officer, my BFF Cesar Montano.
Cesar Montano: I gained my wealth by working hard
Aligning with adversaries, pariah states and a fair-weather friend like Moscow may shut the door leading to a peaceful resolution for the foreseeable future.
Qatar dispute should be a family affair