on the wing

on the wing
on the wing
Fig. while flying; while in flight. (Usually refers to birds, fowl, etc., not people or planes.) •

There is nothing as pretty as a bird on the wing.

The hawk caught the sparrow on the wing.

* * *
{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In the air; while flying. * /The duck flew away, but John shot it on the wing./ 2. {informal} In constant motion; always very busy. * /Susan was on the wing doing things to get ready for her trip./ * /Mr. Jones had a busy schedule and his secretary had to catch him on the wing to sign the letters./ Syn.: ON THE FLY. 3. {informal} Moving from one place to another; traveling; going somewhere. * /Mary's husband is a traveling salesman and he's always on the wing./ * /They stayed in France for a week and then they were on the wing again./ Syn.: ON THE GO, ON THE MOVE.

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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