fair play

American  

noun

1. just and honorable treatment, action, or conduct.

   The political campaign was notably lacking in fair play.

---

fair play British  

noun

1. an established standard of decency, honesty, etc

2. abidance by this standard

---

fair play Idioms  

1. Conformity to established rules; upright conduct and equitable conditions. For example, The coach insists on fair play. Shakespeare used this idiom in King John (5:2): “According to the fair play of the world, let me have audience.” [Late 1500s] Also see turnabout is fair play.

---

Etymology

Origin of fair play

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Fair play to Leeds boss Daniel Farke too.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Fair play to Leeds, they have really surprised and impressed me so far.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday night.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2024

Fair play in sports mirrors the importance of fairness in democratic society and a respect for the rules of engagement set by our political tradition.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2024

Fair play to the enemy’s character is a concession not quite so easy to the average Englishman as he supposes.

From The Better Germany in War Time Being some Facts towards Fellowship by Picton, Harold W. (Harold Williams)

Related Words

• civil rights
• coordination
• equal opportunity
• fairness
• identity
• impartiality
• parity
• tolerance