play fast and loose

== English == === Etymology === From the con game fast and loose. === Pronunciation === === Verb === play fast and loose (third-person singular simple present plays fast and loose, present participle playing fast and loose, simple past and past participle played fast and loose) (idiomatic) To ignore proper behavior or social conventions, especially when it suits one's purpose. (idiomatic) To be recklessly inaccurate, inappropriate, or otherwise ignoring guidelines and conventions. (idiomatic) To act in a tricky, inconstant way, saying one thing and doing another. ==== Quotations ==== 1589, Lancelot Andrewes, 'A Sermon Preached before Queene Elizabeth, at Greenwich, on Wednesday 11 March, 1589', in XCVI Sermons, ed. William Laud and John Buckeridge, London: [...] Richard Badger, published 1629, p. 268: Come, let us have the Arke (saith he) And then, Goe to, it skills not greatly, carry it backe againe: which, what was it, but, to play fast and loose with Religion?