English / proverb
All Is Fair in Love and War
MEANING IN ENGLISH
A proverb suggesting that in extreme rivalry, passionate pursuits, or critical battles for survival, traditional rules of etiquette and fairness are set aside.
In context
01
When our fiercest competitor poached our lead researcher during the restructuring, they justified it by claiming that all is fair in love and war.
02
Even in the desperate struggle to save the business, the ethical manager refused to cheat, rejecting the cynical notion that all is fair in love and war.
Synonyms
no rules apply,anything goes,the end justifies the means
Antonyms
fair play,strict sportsmanship,abiding by moral principles
Collocations
claim that all is fair in love and war,justify with all is fair in love and war,believe all is fair in love and war