PhrasesHub

Play fast and loose

    Definitions

      • behave in a careless or irresponsible manner
        Describe someone's reckless or irresponsible behavior, especially when they are not taking a situation seriously or are being deceitful

      • change one's mind frequently
        Refer to someone who is indecisive and changes their opinions or plans frequently, making it difficult to rely on them

    Examples of Play fast and loose

    • Sarah has been playfast and loose with her finances, constantly overspending and neglecting her bills.

      To play fast and loose with something indicates being careless, reckless, or irresponsible with it. In this case, Sarah is exhibiting a lax and cavalier attitude towards managing her finances, overspending without a second thought and disregarding her financial obligations.

    • In the political sphere, some politicians play fast and loose with the truth, bending the facts to fit their agenda.

      Politicians sometimes make questionable claims or suppress information to benefit their objectives. The use of 'play fast and loose' implies that they are disregarding the truth and acting without proper regard for the facts or consequences.

    • During the boardroom meeting, the CEO played fast and loose with the timeline, announcing an unrealistic deadline for the new project.

      To play fast and loose with a deadline signifies being overly optimistic or reckless in estimating how long a particular task will take. In this example, the CEO's carelessness in setting a false deadline could have serious consequences for the company, potentially leading to missed deadlines, lost revenue, or damaged client relationships.

    • The sales executive failed to fulfill the promises she made to clients, playing fast and loose with their expectations.

      This use of 'play fast and loose' refers to a failure to fulfill commitments or meet expectations. The sales executive's carelessness in dealing with her clients and failing to deliver on her promises could damage her reputation and cost her business opportunities in the future.

    • The sales team was playing fast and loose with their expenses, submitting numerous reimbursement requests without proper receipts or documentation.

      This use of "play fast and loose" refers to a careless or reckless disregard for rules or guidelines, in this case, the company's policies regarding expense reports.

    • After the breakup, my ex-partner started playing fast and loose with our joint assets, withdrawing large sums of money from our savings account without consulting me.

      Here, "play fast and loose" describes the actions of an individual who is disregarding shared responsibilities and agreements, potentially causing harm or inconvenience to the other party.

    • The politician's campaign promises were nothing but empty talk, full of plays fast and loose with the truth.

      This use of the idiom highlights the deception or insincerity associated with making false or unbacked claims or statements.

    • In the fast-paced world of marketing, companies often indulge in playing fast and loose with consumer privacy, collecting and sharing vast amounts of personal data without clear consent.

      This final example portrays the use of "play fast and loose" in a societal context, emphasizing the detrimental effects that disregard for responsible data management can have on individual privacy and security.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "play fast and loose" can be used to describe someone's reckless or irresponsible behavior, as well as someone who frequently changes their mind and is difficult to rely on.

    Origin of "Play fast and loose"

    The origin of the idiom "play fast and loose" can be traced back to medieval times. In the game of "fast and loose," a belt or cord was arranged in a complex pattern on a table, and players had to quickly place a stick in a particular spot without disturbing the arrangement. The game was often used for gambling, and the phrase "play fast and loose" came to be associated with deceit and trickery.

    Over time, the idiom evolved to encompass a broader meaning of irresponsible or deceitful behavior, as well as someone who changes their mind frequently. The idiom has been used in literature and everyday language for centuries, and its origins in medieval gaming have given it a lasting place in the English language.