fair game

American  

noun

1. a legitimate or likely object of attack, mockery, etc..

   With his fat, round face, the politician was fair game for the cartoonists.

---

fair game British  

noun

1. a legitimate object for ridicule or attack

2. archaic hunting quarry that may legitimately be pursued according to the rules of a particular sport

---

fair game Idioms  

1. A legitimate target for attack or ridicule. For example, On his talk show, authors are considered fair game. This expression alludes to hunting. [Early 1800s]

---

Etymology

Origin of fair game

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fair game

While your primary home, your car as well as your retirement accounts are exempt from being liquidated in Chapter 7, your other assets are fair game.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

“This conference room is now fair game for solo work and small group calls” costs nothing to say and immediately amplifies agency.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

In the mid-19th Century, the birds were considered fair game and day-trippers would hire steam yachts to shoot them, sometimes killing thousands at a time.

From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2026

Taking issue with the profile, even condemning it and vociferously panning it, is fair game.

From Slate ● Mar. 3, 2026

Off and on, during their broadcasting years, all seven of the children had been fair game for the kind of child psychologist or professional educator who takes a special interest in extra-precocious children.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger