tough play

Hi Antonia,

Idioms often need a context to get the usage right and you didn't give any, but here are a few comments anyway.

I'd say the exact opposite of 'fair play' is 'foul play', but there are many other things you could say, so a context is needed. British people sometimes say a thing is 'not cricket'. 'Tough play' is not an idiomatic phrase.

fair game is not

One question: when you say "fair game", do you (I don't mean you Clive, but any Anglo-Saxon ear ) hear it as "game", you can win or lose, or as "game" as in "a gamekeeper"?

One more question on the same "Fair Game".

Is this phrase used in the same way as used in the phrase " Are you game for this proposal??"

Is Fair Game also used the same way.

Please could you give some examples of usage of the phrase Fair Game...

Thanks in Advace

Aster

Hi Antonia,

One question: when you say "fair game", do you (I don't mean you Clive, but any Anglo-Saxon ear ) hear it as "game", you can win or lose, or as

I hear"game" as in "a gamekeeper". Certain birds, for example pheasants, are traditionally considered as game birds, but only 'fair game' at certain times of the year and in certain situati

Thank you, Clive! (I know some about "Pheasant", I've read Mazo de la Roche in my youth)

BTW, it was me who asked the question

Thank you all for your posts.

Fair play is referred to one type of negotiation in which one party takes into consideration the other party and its need and is usually more successful than tough play in which the party is trying to win at the expense of the other party. Hope it helps.