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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

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

"All's fair in love and war and Somerset have taken criticism for the quality of some of the pitches that have prepared in recent matches."

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2016

Why Some Male Marsh Harriers Dress in Drag All's fair in love and war, even among marsh harriers, a bird of prey found in western France.

From Science Magazine ● Dec. 22, 2011

So much the better," said I. "All's fair in love and war.

From Berry And Co. by Yates, Dornford

"All's fair in love and war," said Skippy who, under the influence of outward conditions, momentarily forgot his rôle.

From Skippy Bedelle His Sentimental Progress From the Urchin to the Complete Man of the World by Fuhr, Ernest

"All's fair in love and war," said Mrs. Dunny.

From One Out of Ten by Ferlaine, J. Anthony

“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

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

From A Texas Matchmaker by Adams, Andy

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

From What Answer? by Dickinson, Anna E.

This is war, you see, and they say all's fair in love and war.

From The Boy Scout Automobilists or, Jack Danby in the Woods by Maitland, Robert