above board

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

honest, legal, and transparent

Why this phrase?

From card games: keeping your hands above the table so everyone can see them.

Example

“Every incentive deal is above board and documented.”

Dictionary details

Component words

above board

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

back to the drawing board Neutral · CEFR B2

to start planning or designing again after an idea or attempt has failed

sweep the board Neutral · CEFR B2

To win every available prize or category in a competition.

by the book Neutral · CEFR B2

strictly following the rules or official procedures

call a spade a spade Informal · CEFR B2

to speak plainly and directly, even bluntly

come clean Informal · CEFR B2

to confess the truth about something previously hidden or denied

wear your heart on your sleeve Neutral · CEFR B2

To show your feelings openly rather than hiding them.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

markdown