high-flying
UK: ˌhaɪ ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ | US: ˌhaɪ ˈflaɪ.ɪŋ
adj. 1. (literal) flying at a high altitude
adj. 2. (figurative) ambitious, successful, or extravagant in scope
adj. 3. (of ideas or plans) bold or visionary
The compound "high-flying" combines "high" (Old English hēah, meaning "of great vertical extent") and "flying" (from Old English flēogan, "to move through the air"). Originally literal (e.g., birds or aircraft), it evolved metaphorically in the 19th century to describe ambitious individuals or grandiose ideas, reflecting the cultural association of height with aspiration.
The high-flying eagle circled above the mountains.
She was a high-flying executive before starting her own company.
His high-flying theories about space exploration captivated the audience.
The startup’s high-flying ambitions attracted major investors.
Critics dismissed the plan as another high-flying scheme without practical merit.