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

The belief that it is fathers, not mothers, who can’t get a fair shake in custody cases is further fueled by fathers’ rights groups’ claims that courts are biased against fathers.

From No Straight News

In short, institutional wealth is probably here to stay, the middle class hasn’t gotten its fair shake and the location of the post-office box where you drop your taxes on April 15 probably matters more than you realize.

From Time

Compared to the myriad ways animals have to cool down—dogs pant, elephants flap their big ears, vultures poop on their legs and feet—we got a pretty fair shake.

From Outside Online

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