Fair Game
“Fair game” describes a person or thing regarded as a permissible target for criticism, attack, pursuit, or similar action. The guide stays with current documented meaning and does not add unsupported origin chronology.
“Fair game” describes a person or thing regarded as a permissible target for criticism, attack, pursuit, or similar action.
Key details
Further guidance
History Boundary
This guide explains the current documented meaning and does not claim a single inventor, exact coinage date, or absolute first use without direct historical evidence.
Meaning
a person or thing regarded as reasonable or permissible to criticize, attack, or pursue
Usage Boundary
The phrase marks something as open to challenge or pursuit; context determines whether the target is criticism, competition, or another permitted action.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- fair game — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Current meaning of fair game as a person or thing considered reasonable or permissible to criticize, attack, or pursue.