IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishlay one's cards on the table
Meaning: To be open and honest; to reveal everything.
Example: “Let me lay my cards on the table: I can't afford that price.”
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: a viso aperto Literally: With open face
Origin: In card games, players reveal their hands by laying them face up on the table at the end of play. The figurative sense of being completely open about one's intentions is recorded from the early 20th century.
More English idioms
- letter perfect Exactly right.
- the life of Riley The good life; a comfortable life.
- the lion's share The greater part; most.
- lock, stock and barrel Everything; the entirety.
- the long and short of it The outcome; the point.
- look like death warmed over To look/feel ill or exhausted.
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