put your cards on the table
Meaning
To be fully open and honest about your intentions, plans, or information; to reveal what you really think or want.
Origin
From card games, where placing your cards face up on the table reveals your hand; metaphorically, it means revealing your position or intentions in a discussion or negotiation.
Notes
Often used in negotiations or serious talks to call for transparency. Suggests honesty and dropping hidden agendas; conversational and neutral in tone.
Examples
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Before we sign the contract, I need you to put your cards on the table about the budget.
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If we’re going to fix this relationship, we both have to put our cards on the table.
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During the negotiation, she decided to put her cards on the table and admit what she really wanted.
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Stop hinting—just put your cards on the table and tell me whether you’re quitting.
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The team meeting went faster once everyone put their cards on the table about the deadlines.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: put/lay your cards on the table. Possessive changes (my/his/their cards). Often used with ‘let’s’ or ‘it’s time to’. ‘On the table’ is typically not omitted.
Synonyms
- be upfront
- be candid
- come clean
- lay it all out
- show your hand
Antonyms
- keep it under wraps
- play your cards close to your chest
- hold back
- keep it to yourself