fast and loose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The former, which Miller once considered calling “The Inside of His Head,” is fluidly constructed, playing fast and loose with time as it tracks the disintegrating mental life of down-and-out salesman Willy Loman.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Fennell is not merely playing fast and loose with her source material, as a skeptic might think; she’s lifting the evocative images of Brontë’s prose and envisioning them as one might when reading the novel.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

"In the event that the government did attempt to play fast and loose with the public finances, we would expect bond markets to put it in check," the economist said.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury, said the government would "never play fast and loose with the public finances" and reiterated that the rules on borrowing were "non-negotiable".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2025

Later, Elizebeth had seen firsthand how the FBI played fast and loose with the truth.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield