By fair means or foul means by honest or dishonest methods. The correct answer is this meaning because the expression is used figuratively, not only by its literal words.

Examples:

• He wanted to win by fair means or foul.
• In an HSC essay, By fair means or foul can express this meaning: by honest or dishonest methods.
• When this expression appears in a passage, connect By fair means or foul with the idea of by honest or dishonest methods.