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.

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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

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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]

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Etymology

Origin of fair game

First recorded in 1795–1805

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fair game

Those topics are fair game for a Fed chair, but they highlight the postmeeting press conference’s singular focus on monetary policy.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

Meddling in-laws, persuasive friends, even a therapist or clergy member are all fair game.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026

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

From Slate ● Mar. 3, 2026

This could be fair game territory for legally recording because law has not kept pace with technology.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2026

Perhaps he thought that a drowned chicken was fair game.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

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