to play fair
23
2.3
- phrasal verb
:
jugar limpio
- She urged her teammates to play fair so that everyone would have an equal chance to win.
- always play fair
- want to play fair
- never play fair
Besides, the ones who come don't play fair, and neither do we.
- Besides, the ones who come don't play fair, and neither do we.
- And that's why we're fighting like Republicans don't play fair.
- Why is it so difficult for narcissistic people to play fair?
- And so like our original core values were serve others, play fair, train daily and no ego.
- And I have to say that's like the, that's like the, you know, they weren't playing fair.
- Well, I think one of the ways an artist could sabotage themselves is by not playing fair.
Examples
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No, no, no, play fair.
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You don't play fair, do you?
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You may have always won, but you never played fair.
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I always play fair, okay?
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Are they going to play fair or are they going to cheat?
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I appreciated that an online retailer of their size was playing fair.
Blog text (30) -
Okay, play fair.
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I play fair.
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I'm done playing fair!
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He plays fair.
Synonyms
5
4.2
To act honestly and directly without tricking others
To focus on the issue, not on the person
Antonyms
How Fair
55
2.8
23
2.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to act honestly or according to the rules' is directly derivable from combining 'play' (to compete/engage) with 'fair' (impartial, honest): 'fair' simply describes the manner of playing. This verb + manner-adjective composition is a common, compositional pattern across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will very likely infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Play fair may come from old market fairs where people would play games in front of crowds and the clear rules of the fair meant no one could easily cheat. So, play fair means 'to act honestly' and follow the rules.