dirty pool: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-medium (Idiomatic)Informal
Quick answer
What does “dirty pool” mean?
Unfair, deceitful, or underhanded tactics, especially in competition or dealings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Unfair, deceitful, or underhanded tactics, especially in competition or dealings.
Any conduct that violates accepted rules of fairness or sportsmanship, often involving cheating, manipulation, or unethical behavior to gain an advantage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in American English. The game is called 'pool' in both, but the idiom is far less established in British English, where terms like 'sharp practice' or 'foul play' might be preferred.
Connotations
Carries a strong negative connotation of dishonor and bad faith in both varieties. It suggests sneaky, clever cheating rather than brute force.
Frequency
Idiom is recognized but infrequently used in contemporary UK English; more likely found in older texts or American media influence. In American English, it is a recognizable, though not extremely common, idiom.
Grammar
How to Use “dirty pool” in a Sentence
[Subject] is playing dirty pool.Calling that dirty pool is an understatement.They accused their opponents of dirty pool.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dirty pool” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'dirty pool' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'dirty pool' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'dirty pool' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'dirty pool' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'dirty pool' is not used as a standalone adjective.
American English
- N/A - 'dirty pool' is not used as a standalone adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe unethical competitive practices, like stealing clients with false information.
Academic
Rare, except in informal discussions about academic dishonesty or unethical research practices.
Everyday
Used in games, sports, arguments, or any situation where someone is perceived as breaking the unwritten rules of fairness.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dirty pool”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dirty pool”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dirty pool”
- Using it as an adjective before a noun (*a dirty pool tactic) instead of as a noun phrase (dirty pool).
- Confusing it with the literal meaning of a soiled swimming pool.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively an idiom. A soiled swimming pool would be described as 'a dirty swimming pool'.
It is a recognizable idiom, especially in American English, but it is not among the most frequently used idioms today. Terms like 'dirty tricks' or simply 'cheating' are more common.
It functions as a compound noun (noun phrase). It is the object in sentences like 'He played dirty pool.'
No, that is not a standard derivation. You would say 'someone who plays dirty pool' or use a synonym like 'cheat'.
Unfair, deceitful, or underhanded tactics, especially in competition or dealings.
Dirty pool is usually informal in register.
Dirty pool: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɜːti puːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɝːɾi puːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play dirty pool”
- “That's dirty pool!”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pool hall where a player secretly chalks the cue ball to leave marks on the table, helping them later. That's not just playing pool; it's playing DIRTY pool.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME / COMPETITION IS A GAME. Unethical behavior is conceptualized as cheating at a game (pool).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'dirty pool' primarily describe?