play fair

play fair

To act, behave, or play fairly and justly; to observe the rules or the laws; to not cheat or betray the spirit of something. Often used in negative formations. If you don't play fair, no one is going to want to play games with you anymore! The watchdog accused the giant multinational corporation of not playing fair with its tax obligations. Everyone I know cheats the system to their advantage, so why should I have to be the one to play fair?
See also: fair, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play fair

to do something by the rules; to play something in a fair and just manner. John won't play with Bill anymore because Bill doesn't play fair. You moved the golf ball with your foot! That's not playing fair!
See also: fair, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

play fair

Behave honestly and honorably, obey the rules, as in Not every supplier we deal with plays fair, or We can't just leave them to find their own way back-that's not playing fair. Although this idiom conjures up playing by the rules in some game or sport, it actually has been used in this figurative way since the mid-1400s. Also see play the game.
See also: fair, play
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

play fair

observe principles of justice; avoid cheating.
See also: fair, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

play ˈfair/ˈstraight (with somebody)

act honestly and fairly: I don’t think it’s playing fair to blame her for other people’s mistakes.
See also: fair, play, straight
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • play fair/straight
  • play straight
  • offend against
  • mulct
  • mulct (one) out of (something)
  • mulct out of
  • by rights
  • be barking up the wrong tree
  • sellout
  • sold out
References in periodicals archive
"The ability to insert more than $1.5 billion per year into these economies should be reason enough to play fair, regardless of the other inherent dangers pirated software brings to a business," said David Finn, associate general counsel for worldwide anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting at Microsoft."Pirated and counterfeit software is lining the pockets of dangerous criminals.
Illegal software harms local and global economies
Play Fair researchers also found that wages for sportswear workers are still well below a local living wage.
Clearing the hurdles
They were interested, and we suggested Play Fair, a community structure that promotes inclusion and noncompetitive play.
Play fair - and not just at recess
The "Fair Play Fair Pay Act" seeks tocreate "a modern and uniform system of rules governing music licensing for digital and terrestrial radio broadcasts."
How Many Members Of Congress Won't Play 'Fair'?
He stressed to the captains the importance of their teams playing according to the MCC Spirit of Cricket -- Play hard, Play fair.
Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika steal thunder at Indian Premier League gala dinner party
Isn't it about time that our council started to play fair with the public?
We need more time; Mailbag letters also appear online at www.examiner.co.uk/views-and-blogs/reader-letters Mailbag
William told a pre-match dinner: "What is so important about these Respect and Fair Play Awards is that they acknowledge and reward those who play fair and encourage fair play - true sportsmen and women.
William's football crusade
That is not what we bargained for when we voted Yes to the Common Market, our own elected representatives being powerless to play fair with us when disaster strikes.
FORCED INTO INJUST POLICY
Dave Fisher, managing director of Mercia, said: "Obviously it is really important we are honest with our listeners, and they can trust us to play fair."
Radio fix sackings
Come on lads, this is our six-round Classic with an expected entry of 170-plus and quality-wise the best there is on offer' if you want to play on the event, at least play fair and lay a bet.
Sporting Odds and Stan James joining the usual crew of Bet365
AN Aussie sporting icon once said: "Play hard, play fair and never take a backward step."
Voice of The Sunday Mirror Sport: Stand firm
POST office staff in Coventry are calling on MPs to force the government to "play fair" over changes in benefit payments.
'Let people stay with post office' CALL FOR MPs TO BACK 'GENUINE CHOICE'
I am opposed to tariffs in general, but I must admit if the countries don't play fair, there are not many options.
Few trade options when countries don't play fair
It's time for the Amazons, Googles and Facebooks of the world to play fair and fund services.
Save the NHS; VOICE OF THE
Nadler writes in support of the Fair Play Fair Pay Act which he co-wrote with Tennessee Republican Rep.
Nadler Beats Performance Rights Drum