fair play

Meaning

'Fair play' refers to respect for the rules, equal opportunities, and sportsmanship in a game, contest, or daily life. It emphasizes honesty, integrity, and treating opponents with respect rather than trying to win by cheating.

Examples

• The referee awarded them a trophy for fair play because they helped an injured opponent.

  The referee awarded them a trophy for fair play because they helped an injured opponent.

• We believe in fair play, so we will not use any tactics that might cheat our competitors.

  We believe in fair play, so we will not use any tactics that might cheat our competitors.

• The coach teaches the kids that fair play is much more important than winning the match.

  The coach teaches the kids that fair play is much more important than winning the match.

• Shaking hands after a tough game is a basic demonstration of fair play.

  Shaking hands after a tough game is a basic demonstration of fair play.

• The committee is investigating the team to ensure they adhered to the rules of fair play.

  The committee is investigating the team to ensure they adhered to the rules of fair play.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The match was very fair play.

  ✓ The match was played in a spirit of fair play.

  'Fair play' is a noun phrase, not an adjective. To describe a clean game, say it was 'fair' or 'played with fair play'.

• ✗ We must do fair play in this tournament.

  ✓ We must practice fair play in this tournament.

  We 'practice', 'show', 'promote', or 'uphold' fair play, rather than 'do' it.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The team won an award not for their goals, but for their outstanding ___.

  💡 Respect for rules and sportsmanship.

  Show answer

  fair play

• Cheating and lying go completely against the spirit of ___.

  💡 Honest and respectful competition.

  Show answer

  fair play