play fair

Idioms  

1. Behave honestly and honorably, obey the rules, as in Not every supplier we deal with plays fair, or We can't just leave them to find their own way back—that's not playing fair. Although this idiom conjures up playing by the rules in some game or sport, it actually has been used in this figurative way since the mid-1400s. Also see play the game.

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Example Sentences

Ern is constantly stepping out of the fictional frame in an exaggerated effort to “play fair” with the reader, much as the Golden Age mystery writers he reveres mostly did.

From Washington Post

The Justice Department serves them all, and its credibility rests on being perceived to play fair.

From Washington Post

The law would play fair and Trump would play dirty — and you can ask O.J.

From Washington Post

“I will teach all children to play fair and do their best. I will positively support all managers, coaches and players. I will respect the decisions of the umpires. I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game,” it reads.

From Washington Post

In press releases, TV commercials, and in person, they seem almost hurt by it, as if they can’t believe he wouldn’t just play fair and tell everyone that he’s a regular old liberal.

From Slate

Related Words

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