fair game

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fair game (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) Actions permissible by the rules.

   Pretending to be slow is fair game. Pretending to be injured is not.

   The referee ruled the unprecedented play fair game.

2. (idiomatic) A goal or an object that may legitimately be sought.

   After the middle sister's call from a friend's house, her slice of cake was fair game.

3. (idiomatic) An acceptable subject or target for criticism, scrutiny, mockery, or attack.

   Anyone running for office is fair game for criticism.

4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see fair,‎ game.: a game that is fair, that does not involve cheating, etc.