What is no harm no foul?

The phrase "no harm, no foul" is commonly used in English to indicate that although a rule may have been broken or a mistake was made, no actual damage or injury resulted, so no penalty or punishment is warranted. This concept often applies in informal situations or in contexts like sports, where minor infractions may be overlooked if they do not affect the outcome of the game or cause harm to any party involved.

The origins of the phrase are generally attributed to sports, particularly basketball, where it suggests that a foul should only be called if it affects the play. In general usage, "no harm, no foul" implies that if no one was hurt or disadvantaged by an action, there should be no further consequences. It embodies a pragmatic approach to conflict resolution, focusing on outcomes rather than rigid adherence to rules.