play fast and loose

Cultural  

1. To behave dishonorably; to make a promise and fail to deliver on it: “It sounds like a good deal, but I hope that real estate agent isn't just playing fast and loose with me.”

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play fast and loose Idioms  

1. Be recklessly irresponsible, unreliable, or deceitful, as in This reporter is known for playing fast and loose with the facts. This term probably originated in a 16th-century game called “fast and loose,” played at country fairs. A belt was doubled and held with the loop at table's edge, and the player had to catch the loop with a stick as the belt was unrolled—an impossible feat. The term was already used figuratively by the late 1500s, especially for trifling with someone's affections.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play fast and loose

This new version isn’t hemmed in by the traditional structures of a book musical, allowing it to play fast and loose with the theatrical context without having to throw out the story or the score.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

"In the event that the government did attempt to play fast and loose with the public finances, we would expect bond markets to put it in check," the economist said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026

"I will never play fast and loose with the public finances."

From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2023

A person who likes to play fast and loose with cookbooks, using them for inspiration rather than instruction.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 16, 2023

Do you think you can play fast and loose with a master in that fashion?

From Martha or, The Fair at Richmond by Friedrich von Flotow

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