fair game
fair game
Legitimately or permissibly targeted for something, such as criticism, use, or discussion. As the youngest sibling, I'm always fair game for mockery at family events. If you're playing football with us, then you're fair game to get tackled.
See also: fair, game
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
fair game (for something)
someone or something that it is considered permissible to attack or abuse in some way. I don't like seeing articles exposing people's private lives, but politicians are fair game for that kind of criticism. Journalists always regard movie stars as fair game.
See also: fair, game
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
fair game
A legitimate target for attack or ridicule. For example, On his talk show, authors are considered fair game. This expression alludes to hunting. [Early 1800s]
See also: fair, game
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
fair game
someone or something considered a reasonable target for criticism, exploitation, or attack.See also: fair, game
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
fair ˈgame
if a person or thing is said to be fair game, it is considered acceptable to play jokes on them, criticize them, etc: The younger teachers were considered fair game by most of the kids.In this idiom, game refers to birds and animals that people hunt for sport or food.
See also: fair, game
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
fair game
A legitimate object of attack, pursuit, or mockery. The analogy, of course, is to hunting, and the term has been used figuratively since the early nineteenth century. “They were indeed fair game for the laughers,” wrote Thomas Macaulay in his essay on Milton (1825).
See also: fair, game
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- be fair game
- get the business
- make nonsense of
- make nonsense of something
- make (a) nonsense of (something)
- make (someone, something, or oneself) a laughingstock
- make a laughingstock of
- make a laughingstock of (someone, something, or oneself)
- mock
- make (a) mock of (someone or something)