- Fair treatment or an equitable opportunity to succeed or prove oneself.
Explanation
Origin
- Likely originated in American English in the late 19th or early 20th century.
- Possibly related to shaking dice (giving them a fair roll) or shaking hands (a gesture of agreement/fair dealing).
- The core idea is one of impartiality and giving someone a reasonable chance without prejudice.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Give 'em a break. (Implies someone deserves leniency or a chance)
- Cut 'em some slack. (Similar to give 'em a break)
Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing frustration about unfairness):
- Stop fucking me over! (Demanding fair treatment)
- Give me a goddamn chance!
Milder:
- Equitable treatment.
- A reasonable opportunity.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most contexts, from informal discussions to semi-formal settings like performance reviews or legal discussions.
- It's a generally respectable way to talk about fairness.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Unlikely to be misunderstood. The meaning is quite clear from the words fair and the context of opportunity/treatment.
Examples
- All he wants is a fair shake at the job interview.
- The judge ensured both sides got a fair shake in court.
- She felt she didn't get a fair shake from her previous manager.
Dialogue
Employee: I feel like I'm being overlooked for promotions. I just want a fair shake.
Manager: I understand. Let's review your performance and opportunities. I want to make sure everyone gets a fair shake here.
Employee: Thank you, I appreciate that.
Social Media Examples
- Post: Hoping the new hiring process gives all candidates a fair shake, regardless of background. #diversity #inclusion
- Tweet: Small businesses deserve a fair shake against giant corporations. #supportlocal
- Comment: He clearly didn't get a fair shake in the trial, the media bias was obvious.
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Absolutely. / Everyone deserves that. / Of course, that's only right.
- Assurance: Don't worry, you'll get one. / We always aim to give everyone a fair shake.
- Skepticism (if doubting fairness): I hope so. / We'll see about that.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone asks for or demands a fair shake:
- The listener might offer reassurance (You'll get one.) or ask for specifics (What makes you think you might not?).
- Action: Taking steps to ensure impartiality or provide the requested opportunity.
After someone complains they didn't get a fair shake:
- The listener might ask for details (What happened?) or express sympathy (That's not right.).
Conversation Starter
- No. Usually used when discussing fairness, opportunities, or treatment within a specific situation.
Intonation
- Stress usually falls on both fair and shake.
- Often spoken with a tone of earnestness or demanding justice/equality.
- Give him a FAIR SHAKE. / I just want a FAIR SHAKE.
Generation Differences
- Understood and used across most generations, though perhaps slightly more common among older generations (Gen X and Boomers). Younger generations understand it but might use other terms like equal opportunity.
Regional Variations
- Primarily North American, but well-understood in other English-speaking regions. Fair crack of the whip is a British/Australian equivalent.