on the wing—
1. (of birds) in flight:
- They spend at least nine months of the year continuously on the wing.
2. in motion; moving swiftly:
- Pope’s constitutional irritability kept him constantly on the wing.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase on a wing and a prayer—relying on good fortune with only the slightest hope of succeeding:
- It appears like the company is running on a wing and a prayer in the month of December.
on wings—in a joyously exuberant mood:
- They sealed the promise with a long loving kiss, and Gerard went home on wings.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase with wings—(coll.) used of food to be taken home or outside from a restaurant:
- “Can I take your order?” “I’ll have a Big Mac, a large fries and a Coke—with wings.”