above board

above board

See also: aboveboard and above-board

English

Alternative forms

• aboveboard, above-board

Etymology

See above-board.

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Prepositional phrase

above board

1. (idiomatic) Openly, without deceit.
   • 2001, Michael Inne, A Family Affair, page 82:

     ' […] And he explained this business of confidential commissions?' / 'Yes, he did. And it seemed to turn out quite respectable and above board.' Mrs Meatyard considered. 'Or almost above board.

2. (idiomatic) Honestly, reputably.

   They conducted the negotiations completely above board.

Usage notes

• The preferred spellings for the adjective uses of the term are aboveboard and above-board.

Synonyms

• (openly): straightforwardly, transparently

Translations

openly

Dutch: openlijk (nl), rechtuit (nl), met de handen op tafel, niets onderhands

French: ouvertement (fr), franchement (fr)

honestly

Chinese: Mandarin: 光明正大地 (guāngmíngzhèngdàde)

Dutch: volgens het boekje, eerlijk (nl), loyaal (nl) French: franchement (fr), honnêtement (fr), honorablement (fr)

See also

• by the book
• under the table
• on the up-and-up