all is fair in love and war
Otherwise questionable actions are acceptable under extenuating circumstances. Often written as "all's fair in love and war." A: "I can't believe you took credit for my idea just so you would look good to the boss!" B: "Come on, all is fair in love and war!" I told Jeff that Mary had a boyfriend because I wanted to ask her out first. Say what you will, but all is fair in love and war! Yeah, I sabotaged his science project, but so what? I want to win, and all is fair in love and war.
all's fair in love and war
A phrase used to justify behavior that could be considered unsavory, unethical, or unfair. So I had to flatter the boss in order to get that big promotion. All's fair in love and war, right? I told Jeff that Mary had a boyfriend because I wanted to ask her out first. Say what you will, but all's fair in love and war! Yeah, I sabotaged his science project, but so what? I want to win, and all's fair in love and war.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
All's fair in love and war.
Prov. Cliché In some situations, such as when you are in love or waging war, you are allowed to be deceitful in order to get what you want. (Often said as an excuse for deception.) I cheated on the entrance exam, but I really want to get into that school, and all's fair in love and war. To get Judy to go out with him, Bob lied and told her that her boyfriend was seeing another woman. All's fair in love and war.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
all's fair in love and war
Any conduct is permissible in certain circumstances, as in Of course he called her-all's fair in love and war. This maxim, stated in various forms from 1579 on, today sometimes appears altered by an addition or substitution, as in All's fair in love and the World Series, or All's fair in love and war and an election year.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
all's fair in love and war
In a competition or contest, people say all's fair in love and war to suggest that in difficult circumstances any kind of behaviour is acceptable. He appears to live by the credo that all's fair in love and war. So being cruel to wives isn't wrong.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
all’s fair in love and ˈwar
(saying) normal rules of behaviour do not apply in situations like war and love: ‘I told Sarah that John had another girlfriend.’ ‘But that’s not true; he hasn’t.’ ‘I know, but all’s fair in love and war.’This is often used with other words to make new expressions, for example all ’s fair in friendship and business.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
all's fair in love and war
Any tactic or strategy is permissible. The idea was expressed for centuries by numerous writers, from Chaucer (Troilus and Criseyde) to Maxwell Anderson (What Price Glory?). Modern versions sometimes add or substitute another enterprise, such as “in love and war and politics” (George Ade), or “in love and tennis (or any other competitive sport).”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer