🎯 Fair Game: Hunting for Legitimate Prey in Language & Life 🏹
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).
Synonyms:
- Easy target
- Open season
- Sitting duck
- Prey
- Legitimate target
Antonyms:
- Off-limits
- Forbidden fruit
- Untouchable
- Sacred cow
- No-go zone
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I’m not an easy target, but if life throws a bad joke at me, it’s fair game!” — Chuck L. Chuckles
- “Everything is fair game until someone loses an eye. Then it’s hilarious.” — Joke Anydone
Related and Similar Terms:
Proverbs:
- “All’s fair in love and war.” Meaning: In extreme circumstances, people are not bound by the rules of fair play.
Idioms:
- “Open season.” Meaning: A time when a particular activity, especially hunting, is allowed.
Expressions:
- “Sitting duck.” Meaning: An easy target.
Suggest literature, books, songs, poetry, and movies:
- Book: “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu – because knowing when something is fair game can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
- Movie: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – where everything is literally fair game.
- Song: “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran – embodying the spirit of hunting one’s prey.
Intriguing and Engaging Title:
- 🎯 “Fair Game: Hunting for Legitimate Prey in Language & Life”
### Which phrase best represents the concept of being 'fair game'?
- [x] A sitting duck
- [ ] A tall glass of water
- [ ] A cold fish
- [ ] A hot potato
> **Explanation:** 'A sitting duck' means an easy target, much like how 'fair game' describes someone or something ripe for pursuit or attack.
### Which of the following idioms is synonymous with 'fair game'?
- [x] Open season
- [ ] A closed book
- [ ] Out of the blue
- [ ] Cutting corners
> **Explanation:** 'Open season' signifies a period when an activity, often hunting, is allowed, making it synonymous with 'fair game.'
### True or False: 'Fair game' means an object of pursuit that is off-limits.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** 'Fair game' denotes something that is a legitimate target or pursuit, so it’s definitely not off-limits!
### Which idiom describes an object that is *not* fair game?
- [ ] A legitimate target
- [ ] Easy prey
- [x] Forbidden fruit
- [ ] Open season
> **Explanation:** 'Forbidden fruit' signifies something that is off-limits, embodying the opposite of 'fair game.'
### Identify the real idiom:
- [ ] Playing with ghost shoes
- [x] Fair game
- [ ] Singing with owl feathers
- [ ] Steering with jellybeans
> **Explanation:** 'Fair game' is a recognized idiom describing something that is a legitimate target of pursuit.
Thanks for diving into the world of ‘fair game.’ Language is our playground, and idioms are the sandbox – don’t be afraid to toss them around and build castles out of words. Keep hunting for that eloquent prey, for in words lie treasures beyond imagination!
🌟 “Once you know you’re fair game, embrace the chase with grace and humor!” – L.T. Linguista
