fair shake

noun

, Informal.

1. an equitable opportunity or treatment:

   The judges promised that every entrant in the contest would get a fair shake.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fair shake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

Even internally in the House, women are not getting their fair shake.

From The Daily Beast

But the sisters, it seems, were dead wrong to think they might get a fair shake under Francis.

From The Daily Beast

Gideon wrote to the Supreme Court, arguing that his inability to obtain counsel effectively denied him a fair shake at trial.

From The Daily Beast

You have to look at the rest of the data – and particularly, the household survey – for a fair shake.

From The Daily Beast

Gentlemen, unless you get me to Washington, you can't get a fair shake out of me.

From Project Gutenberg

A fair shake, do you think, or is somebody trying to string you?

From Project Gutenberg

The fact was that Si and his companions hardly had a fair shake in this respect, and entered the field at a decided disadvantage.

From Project Gutenberg

She deserves a fair shake and, by the big dipper, she's goin' to have it!

From Project Gutenberg

Your father was a great man, and he rates a fair shake in the write-ups.

From Project Gutenberg