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

In fact, he wants the American public to know who his enemies are and to understand his embrace of an “all’s fair in love and war” political ethos.

From Slate

All’s fair in love and war and primaries.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Times

A Zambian woman took her beau to court for failing to pop the question after eight years of dating, though the judge ruled that all’s fair in love and war.

From Fox News

“I think some folks will say, ‘All’s fair in love and war,’ but it highlights the risk of developing this technology without thinking about its use in the hands of all possible actors.”

From New York Times