fair shake
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
A fair opportunity or just treatment.
A chance given without prejudice, bias, or hidden disadvantage; an equitable deal or assessment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is an idiom, predominantly a noun phrase ('give someone a fair shake'). It implies procedural fairness and an absence of rigged outcomes. Often used in contexts of evaluation, competition, or distribution of resources/opportunities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom is understood but less common in UK English, where 'fair crack of the whip' or simply 'fair chance' is more frequent. It is more ingrained in American idiom.
Connotations
In American English, it carries a folksy, down-to-earth, sometimes democratic connotation of basic fairness.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE; low-to-medium frequency in BrE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] gives [someone] a fair shake.[Someone] gets a fair shake.[Something] isn't a fair shake.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fair shake of the dice”
- “give the devil his due (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new procurement process ensures every vendor gets a fair shake."
Academic
"The study aimed to determine if all participants were given a fair shake in the selection process."
Everyday
"Come on, just give my idea a fair shake before you dismiss it."
Technical
Rarely used in highly technical contexts except in discussions of ethics or procedural fairness.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a good friend. Please give him a fair shake.
- I don't think the new policy gives small businesses a fair shake.
- Despite his controversial past, the journalist argued the candidate deserved a fair shake from the media.
- The arbitration process was designed to ensure both disputing parties felt they had received a fundamentally fair shake.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine shaking hands on a deal: a 'fair shake' is a handshake agreement that's honest and equal for both parties.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAIRNESS IS BALANCE / JUSTICE IS EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION (The 'shake' evokes the random, mixed outcome of shaking dice, implying an unbiased starting point).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation ('честная тряска'), which is nonsensical.
- Do not confuse with 'handshake' ('рукопожатие').
- The idiom is about opportunity, not physical action.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He fair shook me' – incorrect).
- Confusing with 'fair share' (which is about portion, not opportunity).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'give it a fair shake' most likely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively a noun phrase. You 'give' or 'get' a fair shake.
It likely originates from 19th-century American gambling slang, referring to an honest shake of the dice, free from cheating.
It is informal. In formal writing, alternatives like 'equitable opportunity' or 'impartial consideration' are preferred.
'Fair shake' is about a fair chance or treatment in a process. 'Fair share' is about receiving a fair portion or amount of something tangible.