fair and square

Idioms  

1. Just and honest, as in He won the race fair and square. This redundant expression— fair and square mean essentially the same thing—probably owes its long life to its rhyme. [Early 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fair and square

“We are here, we have won elections fair and square, and there’s not much they can do about it,” said Grace Mausser, co-chair of the DSA chapter in New York City.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026

That way, you can help ensure that your assets are split fair and square.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 10, 2025

“But if anybody wants to ratify it now and stamp it assisted, we can accept it. Because we did it fair and square, no help in any way.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 3, 2023

Mr. Judge himself also expressed interest in obtaining his record-breaking ball, but he acknowledged that Mr. Youmans caught it fair and square.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 6, 2022

Wanting to change the conversation, I said, “Grandpa, we won that bet fair and square, but they took my money anyway.”

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

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