English Reference
Idiom idiom

fair crack of the whip


Let's have an equitable attempt, match, or process. Used as an appeal for reasonableness.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Give me a fair crack of the whip to explain my side.

CONTEXTUAL

The new manager promised that every employee would get a fair crack of the whip during the promotion process.

COMPLEX

Although the odds were stacked against the small startup, the investors agreed to provide a fair crack of the whip before deciding whether to withdraw their funding.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all it's cracked up to be

    As good as claims or reputation would suggest.

  2. 02

    crack a crust

    To make a living.

  3. 03

    crack a fat

    To get an erection of the penis.

  4. 04

    crack a smile

    To smile, especially while attempting not to.

  5. 05

    crack down

    To take harsh action (against), as when enforcing a law more stringently than before.

  6. 06

    crack of dawn

    The first moment of daylight; the instant at which sunrise begins.

  7. 07

    crack through

    To penetrate

  8. 08

    crack up

    To laugh.

Last updated August 10, 2026