This proverb is frequently used when two people are contending for the love of a third.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“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
Come, now, all's fair in love and war.
From Tom Brown at Oxford by Hughes, Thomas
He's a good fellow, and I like him dearly; but all's fair in love and war; and I must go down to Calcombe to-morrow morning and forestall him immediately.
From Philistia by Allen, Grant
"Oh, all's fair in love and war," Harriet answered cheerfully, as she helped Beth off with her boots; "and you and yer ma's at war again, I guess."
From The Beth Book Being a Study of the Life of Elizabeth Caldwell Maclure, a Woman of Genius by Grand, Sarah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
