play fair
Honor the rules
To play fair is to follow the rules and act honestly, whether in games or life more broadly.
The phrase implies giving others an equal chance rather than exploiting advantages or using deception: Come on, play fair—you can't just change the rules mid-game.
Someone who doesn't play fair gains through dishonest means.
- foulOffensive or illegal
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- whistleShrill air-blown sounder
- golden ruleFundamental operating principle
sportsmanship · clean game · competition · square deal · equity · trustworthiness · accountability · rules · on the level · above board · integrity · honesty · ethics · even steven · referee · gentleman · umpire · loser
- moral sayingsdo unto others, golden rule, do the right thing, honesty is the best policy, treat others fairly
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- life advicebe honest, be kind, be patient, work hard, be yourself
- sportsmanshipfairness, sportsmanship, respect, integrity, honor
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- pep talkskeep going, you got this, hang in there, keep pushing, believe in yourself
play faircheat
Act dishonestly to win
play dirty · game the system · break the rules · stack the deck · double-deal
play faircut corners
Reduce effort or cost improperly
bend the rules · fight dirty · hit below the belt · sandbag · grift
play, fair, player, playing, played, plays, players, replays, replayed