# play fast and loose

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-fast-and-loose
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To ignore proper behavior or social conventions, especially when it suits one's purpose.

## Examples

- He plays fast and loose with the company rules.
- The manager plays fast and loose with the budget, often spending money without asking for approval first.
- By playing fast and loose with the safety regulations for years, the corporation eventually faced a massive lawsuit that threatened its very existence.

## Origin

From the con game fast and loose.

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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.