Fair-weather

Describing a person whose loyalty or support is only evident during times of prosperity or success, and who abandons or withdraws during difficulty or adversity. This term often implies a lack of genuine commitment or trustworthiness. It suggests a superficial or conditional relationship, present only when it's advantageous and disappearing when circumstances become challenging. Such individuals are perceived as unreliable and opportunistic, prioritizing their own comfort and self-preservation over loyalty or shared goals. They are quick to celebrate victories but absent during struggles.

Fair-weather meaning with examples

• The team’s fair-weather fans only showed up when the team was winning, disappearing completely when the losses started piling up. They would not return to support the team until the next winning streak. Their fickle nature angered the core fanbase. The team's management should have not promoted them.
• During the economic downturn, several investors were revealed to be fair-weather supporters, pulling their funds and leaving the company struggling to stay afloat. Their swift departure exposed their lack of genuine confidence in the long-term strategy. The CEO was left to deal with the fallout.
• She considered her friend a fair-weather companion. He was always around to share in her successes, but he was nowhere to be found when she faced personal challenges. His lack of empathy and support made their friendship seem very shallow and transactional.
• Politicians accused the opposition of being fair-weather patriots, criticizing their sudden adoption of nationalistic rhetoric only when it served their political goals, not because of any real commitment to the country. The accusations were strong and pointed.
• Many accused the CEO's loyalists as being fair-weather allies, disappearing as soon as the company's stock started to decline, revealing their self-serving motivations. Their hasty exit damaged the overall moral of the company and put more stress on its employees.