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fair and square
idiom

- in an honest way and without any doubt

(Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

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The expression fair and square goes back to the 17th century. It uses square in the sense of honest, fair. This essentially makes "fair and square" a redundant phrase. Or as the experts like to say, it is a tautological expression (from the Greek tauto - redundant - and logos - to say), a practice that has been around for several centuries. Since the two words rhyme, fair and square at least has a nice sound to it however.

The English language is full of commonly-used redundant expressions, as the following examples illustrate:

- Sign up today for our service and receive a "free gift".

- The national weather today issued an "advanced warning" of a large storm approaching from the west.

- He has a "new creation" that he believes will make a lot of money.

- "Past history" has shown that the stock market will eventually recover.

- My parents have lots of "old antiques" in the attic.

- We should first give management a "brief summary" of the project.

- The "joint cooperation" has led to several "new innovations".

- As an "added bonus", we had backstage passes to meet the band after the concert.

- If we don't "plan ahead", we could miss the target date.

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SYNONYMS

aboveboard, by the book, honest, just, straightforward

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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation

"England won the cricket match against India fair and square."