fair shake

noun

Informal.

1. an equitable opportunity or treatment.

   The judges promised that every entrant in the contest would get a fair shake.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fair shake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

But if our crumbling democracy means anything, even insufferable warmongers deserve a fair shake.

Read more on Salon

Most voters agreed that slavery still affects today’s Black residents, and more than half said California is either not doing enough, or just enough, to ensure a fair shake at success.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Then Mamdani would get a fair shake, and so would the rest of us.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“They're just interested in making sure that everybody's got a fair shake to get to it.”

Read more on Salon

So I tried to give it a fair shake.

Read more on Salon