adjective / adverb
aboveboard
uh-BUV-bord/əˈbʌvbɔrd/
Open and honest, with nothing hidden.
The card player keeps everything aboveboard, with both hands visible on the table.
Etymology
Above the board meant above the gaming table, where hands remained visible rather than secretly changing cards underneath. That image of visible, fair dealing gives the word its meaning of honest and legitimate.
In context
All of this is happening openly, and aboveboard. There's nothing underground about it.
I'm totally doing this in a totally legit, aboveboard way,
More examples
- She insisted on keeping the negotiations aboveboard.
- Every payment was handled aboveboard.
- The investigation found the arrangement aboveboard.
Forms
aboveboard · more aboveboard · most aboveboard
Similar words
- honest
- Honest means truthful and fair; aboveboard particularly stresses openness and absence of concealed dealings.
- transparent
- Transparent means easy to see or understand; aboveboard also implies honorable conduct.