fast and loose

adverb

1
: in a reckless or irresponsible manner
… played fast and loose with the public purse strings.—Paul Stuewe
2
: in a craftily deceitful way
… manipulated evidence … and played fast and loose with the truth.—C. V. Woodward

Examples of fast and loose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No one wants fast and loose operators around the important matter of money. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 July 2026 This version plays fast and loose with tradition, the big shortcut being a package of seasoned yellow rice that comes to the pan already flavored. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Apr. 2026 Crisping the perfect pizza crust on a baking steel, searing steaks on a grill, draining a pot of scalding pasta water, or pulling a hot potato from an oven—none of these are the time or place to play it fast and loose. — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026 However, not everyone in the Federal Government is onboard with playing so fast and loose with currency. — News Desk, Artforum, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for fast and loose

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fast and loose was in 1557

Rhymes for fast and loose

See All Rhymes for fast and loose

Browse Nearby Words

fast and furious
fast and loose
FA station
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fast and loose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20and%20loose. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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