# dirty pool

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/dirty-pool
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Foul play; misconduct; underhandedness.

## Examples

- That was dirty pool, and you know it.
- The other team hid our equipment before the match, which was clearly dirty pool.
- His decision to leak confidential documents to the press during the negotiation was widely condemned as dirty pool.

## Origin

Probably an allusion to failing to follow the rules when playing billiards. Compare not cricket. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.