high-flyer
high-flyer — noun
1. a person who is very talented and driven to succeed, and who is expected to reac
a person who is very talented and driven to succeed, and who is expected to reach a high level in their career or studies
The law firm recruits high-flyers straight from top universities each year.
collocation: recruit high-flyers
Kim was seen as a high-flyer and was promoted to director at age thirty.
High-flyers at Goldman Sachs in London often complete their MBA while working full-time.
high-flyer in [sector]
McKinsey & Company expects its high-flyers to work in its Dubai office for at least two years.
- a young high-flyer
- identify someone as a high-flyer
- a corporate high-flyer
- underachiever
someone who consistently performs below their ability
2. a company, team, or other group that performs extremely well and achieves outsta
a company, team, or other group that performs extremely well and achieves outstanding results
The renewable-energy start-up became a high-flyer after landing a major government contract.
The electronics retailer RadioShack was a high-flyer in the 1990s before online competitors caught up.
high-flyer in [era/period]
The football club was a high-flyer in the European league for three consecutive seasons.
Analysts predict the logistics company will remain a high-flyer as e-commerce continues to grow.
- a high-flyer in the [field]
- emerge as a high-flyer
- remain a high-flyer
- success story
broader — refers to the narrative of success rather than the entity itself
- star performer
common in business contexts, especially for teams or divisions
Etymology
First known use
1961
1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1