fairweather friends

[mattyoc]

what does fairweather friends mean?

[Quizmonster]

The phrase was first used by the poet, Alexander Pope, in the 18th century. He meant it literally...ie he was referring to friends who stayed near him only during the summer. Nowadays, we use it to mean people who appear to be friends, but only so long as everything is easy for them. If you fall upon hard times, they will soon abandon you to your fate. That is, they can't cope with the 'foul weather' episodes in life.

[FredPuli]

Just like bankers. A true analogy :" A bank is like someone lending you their umbrella. When it is sunny they are happy for you to have it. When it becomes overcast, less so. When it rains really hard and you deperately need it they say you can't have it !" For 'umbrella' read 'money' and you see they are fair-weather friends !