by digsy95 January 8, 2014
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
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
by Ram 007 March 22, 2017
Dave: yo how come you didn't come to the party last night?
Navraj: ah I was busy with college work man
Dave: oh fairs
Navraj: ah I was busy with college work man
Dave: oh fairs
by big.M1000 September 12, 2017
by Silent Speaker January 11, 2010
made by bigo creators; be fair means do your due dills or to go through with something. it can also mean your not throwing any shade your just being truthful.
1. get che to a box yall be fair
2. im going to be fair and say weluvche is the queen of bigo
3. be fair zae you said you would stop begging for beans
2. im going to be fair and say weluvche is the queen of bigo
3. be fair zae you said you would stop begging for beans
by @WELOVEBIGCHE September 4, 2020