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

They’ve also gotten used to growing intrusions in the physical world, where everything from bathroom stalls to taxicab seats have become fair game for marketers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

A bottle cap or crease in a potato chip bag is fair game.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

"Sometimes before I thought it was better and sometimes I think VAR helps us to have a more fair game," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

I have devoted my life to my music but this does not mean deeply personal things which I have a right to deal with in private are fair game.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

At Iona, relief teachers, student teachers, and work-experience kids were all fair game for students to pick on, but the kids at this school were just fine.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge