tough play

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Antonia

#128939 Sat, 20 Aug 05 04:39 PM

Can I use ''tough play'' in opposition to ''fair game''? Can you please help me to find something opposite of fair play?

Thank you

Antonia

Joined on Fri, Mar 11 2005

Contributing Member (1,266)

Clive

#129002 Sat, 20 Aug 05 08:19 PM

Hi Antonia,

Idioms often need a context to get the usage right and you didn't give any, but here are a few comments anyway.

I'd say the exact opposite of 'fair play' is 'foul play', but there are many other things you could say, so a context is needed. British people sometimes say a thing is 'not cricket'. 'Tough play' is not an idiomatic phrase.

''fair game'' is not related to 'fair play'.

Mary is not married, so Tom thinks it's OK to ask her for a date. Mary is fair game.

Betty is married, so Tom thinks she is 'out of bounds' or 'off-limits'.

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (20,321)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

British people, Cricket, Dates, Idioms

pieanne

#129003 Sat, 20 Aug 05 08:23 PM

One question: when you say "fair game", do you (I don't mean you Clive, but any Anglo-Saxon ear ) hear it as "game", you can win or lose, or as "game" as in "a gamekeeper"?

pieanne

Joined on Thu, Jan 20 2005

South of France ...But I'm Belgian!

Veteran Member (7,512)

I'm glad to help, but I'm not a native! And please excuse my typos...

Aster

#129005 Sat, 20 Aug 05 08:32 PM

One more question on the same "Fair Game".

Is this phrase used in the same way as used in the phrase " Are you game for this proposal??"

Is Fair Game also used the same way.

Please could you give some examples of usage of the phrase Fair Game...

Thanks in Advace

Aster

Joined on Thu, Aug 18 2005

India

New Member (16)

Clive

#129034 Sat, 20 Aug 05 10:26 PM

Hi Antonia,

One question: when you say "fair game", do you (I don't mean you Clive, but any Anglo-Saxon ear ) hear it as "game", you can win or lose, or as

I hear"game" as in "a gamekeeper". Certain birds, for example pheasants, are traditionally considered as game birds, but only 'fair game' at certain times of the year and in certain situations.

(Actually, I have Celtic ears)

Hi Aster,

One more question on the same "Fair Game". Is this phrase used in the same way as used in the phrase " Are you game for this proposal??"

No, 'game' here is an adjective meaning 'spirited'. Tom's opponent in the boxing ring was much bigger, but Tom fought gamely.

Are you game for this proposal? means 'Are you "brave enough" for this?' However, sometimes we use it informally to just mean 'ready'. 'Are you game for a cup of tea?'

Is Fair Game also used the same way. No, see above.

Please could you give some examples of usage of the phrase Fair Game...

It's OK for the newspapers to chase after and criticize a politician, but I don't think his wife and children are fair game.

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

pieanne

#129035 Sat, 20 Aug 05 10:29 PM

Thank you, Clive! (I know some about "Pheasant", I've read Mazo de la Roche in my youth)

BTW, it was me who asked the question Smile [:)]

pieanne

Antonia

#129166 Sun, 21 Aug 05 11:02 AM

Thank you all for your posts.

Fair play is referred to one type of negotiation in which one party takes into consideration the other party and its need and is usually more successful than tough play in which the party is trying to win at the expense of the other party. Hope it helps.

Antonia