Example: To be fair, she did try her best in the game.
Definition
"To be fair" is an expression used to introduce a statement that adds balance or fairness to a previous comment, often acknowledging a positive aspect or an exception. For example, in 'To be fair, she did try her best in the game,' it highlights a fair consideration despite other opinions.
The phrase "to be fair" originates from the adjective 'fair,' which means just or unbiased. Over time, it evolved into a conversational expression used to signal impartiality or fairness in speech. Did you know? Using 'to be fair' helps soften criticism by showing an attempt at balanced judgment.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To be fair" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C1) - set 1", containing 130 commonly used expressions.
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