above board






above board

honest….not secret

Above board was originally a gambling term, indicating fair play by players who kept their hands above the board (i.e. the table).




Related Idioms and Phrases :


across the board

across the board applying to all

In the USA, this expression refers to a horse-racing bet in which equal amounts are staked on the same horse to win, place or show in a race.

1999 - Wall Street Journal - The decline for the euro across the board was mainly attributed to the further erosion of global investors confidence toward the euro-zone economy.



go by the board

(of something planned or previously upheld) be abandoned, rejected or ignored.

In former times, go by the board was a i nautical term meaning fall overboard and j was used of a mast falling past the board (i.e. the side of the ship).



on board

as a member of a team or group – informal

On board literally means on or in a ship, aircraft or other vehicle or (of a jockey) riding a horse.



take something on board

fully consider or assimilate a new idea or situation – informal



tread the boards = walk the boards

appear on stage as an actor - informal




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