dirty pool
Playing without honor
Dirty pool is underhanded or unsportsmanlike conduct—tactics that may be technically legal but violate fair play.
The phrase comes from billiards, where certain moves exploit loopholes or deceive opponents.
It now applies broadly to any sneaky maneuvering: Leaking that story to the press was dirty pool.
That's dirty pool, even for politics.
Criminal or violent action
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- cheap shotUnfair attack or remark
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
- backstabbingCovert betrayal of trust
double-cross · sabotage · treachery · betrayal · cutthroat · skulduggery · sandbagging · blindsiding
Deliberate deception or fraud
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
duplicity · con · hustle · scam · swindle · flimflam · bait and switch · shell game
Corrupt payment for influence
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- payoffsBenefits gained from effort
- palm greasingIllicit payment for favors
cronyism · nepotism · influence peddling · malfeasance · graft · embezzlement · profiteering · racketeering
Psychological manipulation tactics
- psyching outDeliberate intimidation tactic
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- trash talkCompetitive verbal intimidation
head games · posturing · brinkmanship · jockeying · outmaneuvering · sharking · hustling · slow rolling
foul play
Criminal or violent action
- low blowUnfair, unsportsmanlike strike
- cheap shotUnfair attack or remark
- sucker punchUnanticipated strike without warning
backstabbing · double-cross · sabotage · treachery · betrayal · cutthroat · skulduggery · sandbagging · blindsiding · ambush
trickery
Deliberate deception or fraud
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
guile · duplicity · con · hustle · scam · swindle · flimflam · bait and switch · shell game · sleight of hand
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- payoffsBenefits gained from effort
palm greasing · cronyism · nepotism · influence peddling · malfeasance · graft · embezzlement · profiteering · racketeering · fixing
mind games
Psychological manipulation tactics
- psyching outDeliberate intimidation tactic
- one-upmanshipQuest to surpass others
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
trash talk · head games · posturing · brinkmanship · jockeying · outmaneuvering · sharking · hustling · slow rolling · needling
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
- dirty tacticsfoul play, cheap shot, low blow, hit below the belt, cheat
dirty poolfair play
Honorable conduct in games
fair competition · above board · clean game · square dealing · ethical conduct
dirty poolgood sportsmanship
Honorable conduct in competition
gentlemanly conduct · graciousness · fair-mindedness · chivalry · nobility
dirty poolgood faith
Sincere, honest intent
straight dealing · straight shooting · integrity · plain dealing · transparency
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