put your cards on the table
/ˌpʊt jə ˈkɑːdz ɒn ðə ˈteɪbl̩/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
to be honest about what you think and want
Examples
- 1Let's put our cards on the table: we can't afford the house you want.
- 2Before we sign anything, I'd like you to put your cards on the table.
- 3Aisha put her cards on the table and told her boss she'd leave without a pay rise.
- 4Why don't you put your cards on the table and tell me what you really want?
- 5The seller finally put his cards on the table: he needed the money by Friday.
Grammar
Only put changes: puts, putting; the past form is also put. your changes to match the person; lay can replace put.
More idioms about honesty and secrets
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →pull the wool over someone's eyesto trick someone so they do not notice the truthtake something with a pinch of saltto not fully believe what you are toldtell it like it isto describe a situation honestly, even the unpleasant partseconomical with the truthnot telling all the facts, or not being honestspill the beansto tell people information that was meant to stay privatecome cleanto finally admit the truth about something you kept hidden
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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