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• All's fair in love and war
  All's fair in love and war

  People in love and soldiers in wartime are not bound by the rules of fair play.
• all's fair in love and war
  all's fair in love and war

  Any conduct is permissible in certain circumstances, as in Of course he called her—all's fair in love and war. This maxim, stated in various forms from 1579 on, today sometimes appears altered by an addition or substitution, as in All's fair in love and the World Series, or All's fair in love and war and an election year.

All's fair in love and war

Cultural  

1. People in love and soldiers in wartime are not bound by the rules of fair play.

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all's fair in love and war Idioms  

1. Any conduct is permissible in certain circumstances, as in Of course he called her—all's fair in love and war. This maxim, stated in various forms from 1579 on, today sometimes appears altered by an addition or substitution, as in All's fair in love and the World Series, or All's fair in love and war and an election year.

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This proverb is frequently used when two people are contending for the love of a third.

Example Sentences

“I love that because it also all’s fair in love and war and politics.”

From Washington Times • Dec. 2, 2023

"We really weren't … but hey, all's fair in love and war."

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2018

Well, all's fair in love and war, they say.

From What Answer? by Dickinson, Anna E.

Of course, all's fair in love and war.

From Three Men and a Maid by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

One good thing is, we understand the situation, and all's fair in love and war.

From A Texas Matchmaker by Adams, Andy