fair play

Idioms & Phrases

fair play

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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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