PhrasesHub

Fast and loose

    Definitions

      • to act recklessly or without regard for consequences
        To describe someone who is careless, irresponsible, or unreliable in their actions or behavior, often causing harm or trouble for themselves or others

      • to change or shift frequently
        To refer to a situation or circumstance that is constantly changing or unstable, making it difficult to predict or rely on

      • to be unfaithful or disloyal
        To describe someone who is not committed or loyal to a person, cause, or belief, often causing harm or betrayal to those involved

    Examples of Fast and loose

    • She was fast and loose with the truth during the job interview.

      This means that she was not completely truthful in her answers and may have even exaggerated or lied about certain things.

    • In the game, the players were fast and loose with the rules, interpreting them in their own favor.

      This means that the players were not strictly following the rules and were making exceptions to suit their own advantage.

    • His writing style is fast and loose, with little regard for grammar or punctuation rules.

      This means that his writing is informal and careless, with errors in grammar and punctuation that are not necessarily follow the rules.

    • Some politicians use fast and loose tactics to win elections by making promises they cannot keep or spreading false information about their opponents.

      This means that they take liberties with the truth and use questionable methods to gain an advantage over their rivals.

    • The detective was fast and loose with the evidence, jumping to conclusions without all the facts.

      Here, "fast and loose" is used to describe someone who is careless or reckless when dealing with important things, such as evidence in a criminal investigation. The detective is acting quickly and without proper caution or consideration for the details, potentially leading to mistakes or errors in judgment.

    • The salesman tried to fast-talk me into buying a car, but his loose talk and vague promises didn't convince me.

      In this example, "fast and loose" is being used to describe someone who speaks quickly or unreliably in an attempt to persuade or deceive someone else, often with vague or misleading statements. The salesman is using loose talk and fast-talking techniques as a sales strategy, but the speaker isn't convinced by his words.

    • The athlete's fast and loose running style made it easy for her opponents to catch up with her.

      Here, "fast and loose" is being used to describe someone who moves quickly but without proper technique or control, making them easy to catch up with by more skilled opponents. The athlete's fast and disorganized style is allowing her competitors to keep pace with her and potentially overtake her in the race.

    • The politician's fast and loose promises on the campaign trail raised suspicions among the media and the public.

      In this final example, "fast and loose" is being used to describe someone who makes rapid and unreliable promises or commitments, often without proper consideration for the consequences or feasibility of those promises. The politician's fast and loose talk is raising questions about the credibility of his campaign and the likelihood that he'll be able to follow through on his promises if elected.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "fast and loose" is often used to describe someone who acts recklessly or without regard for consequences. This can refer to someone who is careless or irresponsible in their actions, causing harm or trouble for themselves and others. It can also describe someone who is unreliable, constantly changing or shifting in their behavior, making it difficult to predict or rely on them. Additionally, "fast and loose" can also be used to describe someone who is unfaithful or disloyal, often causing harm or betrayal to those involved.

    Origin of "Fast and loose"

    The origin of the idiom "fast and loose" can be traced back to medieval times, where it was used in reference to a cheating game called "fast and loose" or "pricking the garter." In this game, a belt or garter was looped around a stick and participants had to guess under which loop the end of the stick was hidden. The person running the game would often manipulate the loops to trick players, hence the term "fast and loose" came to mean deceitful or tricky.

    Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass a broader meaning of being deceitful or unreliable, and it became a popular saying in literature and everyday language. Today, it is commonly used to describe someone who is not to be trusted or who behaves in a careless or reckless manner. It has also been adapted into other variations such as "playing fast and loose" or "living fast and loose," which carry similar meanings.