fair struggle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair struggle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or conflict that is conducted in an equitable manner, where both sides have an equal chance of success. Example: "In a fair struggle, both teams played hard, and the outcome was determined by skill and strategy rather than unfair advantages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We never abuse people which lose in fair struggle".

The New York Times

"We have won in an open and fair struggle," he said at his victory rally.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

INTERNATIONAL ASIAN ART FAIR To its credit, the Asian fair struggles impressively.

The New York Times

Chuck in a complicated ground redevelopment plan and it's a fair old struggle on and off the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

While some smaller dealers get better exposure by showing alongside bigger galleries at fairs, many struggle even to get past the long waiting lists for entrance into the fairs, while those that win access must work hard to recoup the costs, including the booth fee, airfares, hotels and entertainment.

The New York Times - Arts

"I've got some players who, to be fair, are struggling with minor injuries," Garde said.

The Guardian - Sport

A lot of that could be lost if the fair's struggles persist, and perhaps open the door to another country, like South Africa, to step in as the host.

The New York Times - Books

PARIS — The Frankfurt Book Fair, which struggled to find a balance between free speech and honoring China as its featured country, dismissed its project manager after yet another embarrassing refusal to let Chinese dissidents speak.

The New York Times

They were particularly gleeful when, during an appearance at a Guadalajara book fair, he struggled to name three books that had shaped his life ("and that's spotting him the Bible," says a former US official with a chuckle).

Vice

In fact, many state fairs are struggling with low attendance and big deficits too.

Huffington Post

And at last fall's Frankfurt Book Fair, a diplomatic struggle emerged over the fair's invitation to two dissident Chinese writers to speak at its official program honoring China.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fair struggle" when you want to emphasize that a competition or conflict is being conducted according to principles of justice and equity.

Common error

Avoid using "fair struggle" to describe situations where the imbalance of power or resources is so great that the outcome is predetermined. The phrase implies a reasonable chance of success for all parties involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair struggle" functions as a noun phrase, where "fair" modifies the noun "struggle". It describes a competition or conflict characterized by equity and justice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for describing equitable contests.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fair struggle" denotes a competition or conflict marked by justice and equity, as corroborated by Ludwig AI. Primarily found in news and media, it serves to communicate the presence of equitable conditions in a given situation. While not a very frequent expression, its meaning is clear and its use appropriate in contexts where fairness is a key consideration. Alternatives include "just competition" and "equitable contest".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just competition

Replaces "struggle" with a more general term for competition, maintaining the sense of fairness.

equitable contest

Emphasizes the equality of opportunity within the competition.

level playing field

An idiomatic expression indicating equal conditions for all participants.

honest rivalry

Highlights the integrity and lack of cheating in the competitive relationship.

balanced conflict

Focuses on the equal distribution of power or resources in the conflict.

ethical battle

Highlights the moral dimension of the competition.

impartial combat

Suggests a lack of bias in the conflict's execution.

unbiased competition

Directly states the absence of any favoritism.

legitimate contention

Emphasizes the lawfulness and acceptability of the conflict.

square fight

An informal expression denoting a fair and even contest.

FAQs

How can I use "fair struggle" in a sentence?

You can use "fair struggle" to describe situations where individuals or groups are competing under equitable conditions. For example, "The election was a "fair struggle", with all candidates having equal access to resources and media coverage".

What is a synonym for "fair struggle"?

Alternatives to "fair struggle" include "just competition", "equitable contest", or "level playing field". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "fair struggle" the same as "easy struggle"?

No, a "fair struggle" implies equal opportunity and just conditions, not necessarily ease. The "struggle" part suggests effort and difficulty, while "fair" indicates the absence of undue advantages.

Can "fair struggle" be used to describe a war?

While possible, it's less common. "Fair struggle" is more typically used in contexts like elections or sports. Describing a war as a "fair struggle" might imply that both sides have comparable resources and are adhering to certain ethical or legal standards, which is often not the case. The term "just war" is the most appropriate term.