fast and loose

adverb

1
: in a reckless or irresponsible manner
played fast and loose with the public purse stringsPaul Stuewe
2
: in a craftily deceitful way
manipulated evidence … and played fast and loose with the truthC. V. Woodward

Examples of fast and loose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This post contains details about The Fantastic Four: First Steps Despite the intense media training and spoiler deterrents Marvel Studios has been rumored to inflict on its stars, Paul Walter Hauser played it fast and loose with his character reveal. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2025 There has been a fast and loose connection with the not-so-magnificent seven coaches who have tended to come and go on the Raducanu carousel. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Google is building higher fences around its Play Store, as the fast and loose world of sideloading comes under increasing pressure. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 The fast and loose philosophy was not going to hold water against a thoroughly professional South African unit. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast and loose

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fast and loose was in 1557

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Cite this Entry

“Fast and loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20and%20loose. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.

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