Crossword Genius

Bound but also not bound to be unreliable (4,3,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fast and loose

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'be unreliable' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'bound but also not bound' is the wordplay.
'bound but' becomes 'fast' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'also' becomes 'and' (both can mean in addition).
'not bound' becomes 'loose' (I've seen this before).
'fast'+'and'+'loose'='FAST AND LOOSE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fast and loose that I've seen before include "Lacking in moral obligation - old cheating game" , "How one trifles with" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app