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 10, 2020
Get the To be fairmug. To be fair is a phrase mostly used by people who make a living stealing oxygen from others. It serves no purpose other than to try to make their forthcoming statement sound more profound whereas it actually devalues everything that follows. Should be filed along with "Proactive", "At the end of the day" and "To be honest"
by Earl Barrett's Hair July 27, 2012
Get the To Be Fairmug. 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 January 31, 2019
Get the Fairsmug. slang for Renfaire or Renaissance Faire. It is a word usually used by cast, vendors, or regular visitors of a Renaissance Faire.
by Artemis201 January 4, 2012
Get the Fairemug. A phrase which should mean something but rarely does when it's used by sports players - especially British soccer players - and radio/TV commentators. You think the speaker is about to offer a balanced point of view - e.g. "I know I'm critical of X, but, to be fair, he is recovering from a bad injury", but most times, they're just trotting out the same dumb platitudes to fill airtime. Interchangeable with "at the end of the day" and "as I say".
To be fair, it is a Wednesday.
To be fair, as I say, I'm talking into a microphone at the end of the day, Gary
To be fair, as I say, I'm talking into a microphone at the end of the day, Gary
by hillhunt March 5, 2009
Get the to be fairmug. A phrase that precedes a series of statements that, taken as a whole, are completely incorrect. This phase is commonly bandied about on a certain prestigious law school forum, populated by only a handful of people who happen each to have more than a dozen aliases, giving them the false impression that they're actually socializing.
Law School Poster: OMG top 1% at HYS. chances at WLRK?
To Be Fair: To be fair,
You shouldn't have gone to law school in the first place.
To Be Fair: To be fair,
You shouldn't have gone to law school in the first place.
by xoxoposter August 24, 2009
Get the To be fairmug. I often laugh when someone declares a thing to be fair. Fairness is a funny illusion. It’s one of our most useful illusions, but it’s an illusion nonetheless.
My mother gave me a fucking scooter while she gave my little sister a new Cobalt. No fairness in that.
by theshadowofdeath December 14, 2011
Get the fairnessmug.