A phrase that often precedes a statement that is intended to offer a piece of information which the speaker feels is important to the conversation.
This phrase often sounds pretentious when used, and will often be followed by a piece of obvious information that nobody wants to hear.
This phrase often sounds pretentious when used, and will often be followed by a piece of obvious information that nobody wants to hear.
Joe: "I've gained twenty-five pounds!"
Bob: "To be fair, you haven't gone outside at all in the past four months!"
Bob: "To be fair, you haven't gone outside at all in the past four months!"
by DarlingBelle March 12, 2013
by dolphin123 January 24, 2008
by Teetburger November 29, 2011
Adjective. Comparative, fairer; Superlative, fairest
Original meaning is "beautiful", "elegant", "attractive". Derived from Old English "faeger" and Old Norse "fagr", and from proto-Germanic "fagraz" ("suitable", "fitting", "nice"). Applies to the weather as well as to physical beauty.
Since the nobility in England generally defined what beauty was, and since the nobility were pale because they were rich enough that they didn't have to work under the sun, "fair" took on the connotation of "pale" or "bright" in color; fair-haired, fair-skinned, etc.
Through loosening of the meaning of the word, "fair" also came to mean "just", "equitable", as in "a fair trial".
Original meaning is "beautiful", "elegant", "attractive". Derived from Old English "faeger" and Old Norse "fagr", and from proto-Germanic "fagraz" ("suitable", "fitting", "nice"). Applies to the weather as well as to physical beauty.
Since the nobility in England generally defined what beauty was, and since the nobility were pale because they were rich enough that they didn't have to work under the sun, "fair" took on the connotation of "pale" or "bright" in color; fair-haired, fair-skinned, etc.
Through loosening of the meaning of the word, "fair" also came to mean "just", "equitable", as in "a fair trial".
-A fair-minded, fair-haired fair maid proved that her heart, mind, and soul were as fair as her body.
-Ten dollars off of the usual price? Sounds fair.
-Ten dollars off of the usual price? Sounds fair.
by RuddyWriter July 08, 2015
if you don't particularly like someone and they chat to you all the time about their life you could simply reply with fairs to whatever they say. They would soon get the hint that your not exactly interested in whatever it is they have to say.
by Faye Smith March 13, 2011
While "to be fair" is oftentimes overused and misused, it does serve a legitimate role.
When someone makes too many partial assertions and you feel as though they are intentionally ignoring some aspect -- i.e. they aren't being fair -- then you can use the phrase to introduce your counterpoint.
"To be fair" is not intended to completely put down the other person's points. Rather, it simply sheds light on the opposing perspective that has been overlooked.
Ideally, the phrase should be used to highlight an equally valid counterpoint. If you fail to do this, then your point is "pointless," and it is better left unsaid.
When someone makes too many partial assertions and you feel as though they are intentionally ignoring some aspect -- i.e. they aren't being fair -- then you can use the phrase to introduce your counterpoint.
"To be fair" is not intended to completely put down the other person's points. Rather, it simply sheds light on the opposing perspective that has been overlooked.
Ideally, the phrase should be used to highlight an equally valid counterpoint. If you fail to do this, then your point is "pointless," and it is better left unsaid.
NOT correct usage:
"Hitler was an awful person"
"Well, to be fair, some of his art was pretty nice" -- this is not a valid counterargument. We're talking about two points of different proportions.
CORRECT usage:
"Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior! We should all worship him!"
"To be fair, many people have different beliefs from you, and we cannot prove/disprove what god is right or wrong. I respect your faith, you need to do the same to those around you." -- this highlights a big oversight in the original commenter, adding something meaningful to the conversation
"Hitler was an awful person"
"Well, to be fair, some of his art was pretty nice" -- this is not a valid counterargument. We're talking about two points of different proportions.
CORRECT usage:
"Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior! We should all worship him!"
"To be fair, many people have different beliefs from you, and we cannot prove/disprove what god is right or wrong. I respect your faith, you need to do the same to those around you." -- this highlights a big oversight in the original commenter, adding something meaningful to the conversation
by HuniSenpai January 11, 2020
Friend 1: I just broke up with my gf
Friend 2: how come?
Friend 1: caught her banging this other dude
Friend 2: fairs
Friend 2: how come?
Friend 1: caught her banging this other dude
Friend 2: fairs
by In_need_of_autonumber February 01, 2019