Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A disorderly fight, argument, or competition in which everyone present participates. See Synonyms at brawl.
Wiktionary
- n. Chaos; a chaotic situation lacking rules or control.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. a noisy and disordered fight conducted without rules.
- n. Any vigorous competition in which anyone can compete, with few or no rules, and in which the winner is unpredictable.
WordNet 3.0
- n. a noisy fight in a crowd
Examples
“But the Japanese have a number of traditions that give them pause about the competitive free-for-all that most Americans accept as the norm.”
“But can we try it in this key? or whatever, and it's just really a free-for-all.”
“To curtail such coverage is to abandon an intellectual forum for a childish free-for-all.”
“Meanwhile, Germany and France have made clear they have no intention of letting the U.K. turn what they hope will be a limited treaty change into a free-for-all that will require referenda across the euro zone.”
The Wall Street Journal: U.K. Adds Wild-Card Risk to Euro Deal
“Both teams were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute of extra time after a scramble for the ball developed into a free-for-all with the Paraguay defender Antolín Alcaraz and the Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva sent off.”
The Guardian: Brazil 0-0 Paraguay (Paraguay win 2-0 on penalties) | Copa América match report
“It was found sadly lacking before and during the financial crisis of 2007-08 – not just failing to identify trouble ahead but actively promoting the financial free-for-all that caused the speculative frenzy.”
The Guardian: Gordon Brown and the IMF deserve better than this shabby treatment
“The dispute has escalated into an operatic free-for-all, including allegations of jealousy, vengeance and machinations by Mr. Chávez.”
The Wall Street Journal: One Dead President, One Wife, One Mistress, One Ugly Court Fight
“The interpretation has been confirmed by two other circuits, but if the Ninth Circuit's wacky ruling is allowed to stand it will impose major economic burdens and a litigation free-for-all in the Pacific Northwest.”
“Market watchers also point out that Twitter is an editorial free-for-all using all kind of content, such as emoticons, misspellings, sarcasm, irony and humor.”
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