build the plane while flying it

verb

To develop one's approach or strategy to a project while carrying out that project, and not beforehand.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbbuild the plane while flying it (third-person singular simple present builds the plane while flying it, present participle building the plane while flying it, simple past and past participle built the plane while flying it)

present singular third person builds the plane while flying it · participle present building the plane while flying it · participle past built the plane while flying it · past built the plane while flying it · alternative build the plane while flying

  1. idiomaticTo develop one's approach or strategy to a project while carrying out that project, and not beforehand.
Cite this entry
APA

build the plane while flying it. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/build%20the%20plane%20while%20flying%20it

MLA

“build the plane while flying it.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/build%20the%20plane%20while%20flying%20it. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “build the plane while flying it,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/build%20the%20plane%20while%20flying%20it.

Source: build the plane while flying it on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.