lay one's cards on the table
Show your hand
To lay one's cards on the table is to reveal one's intentions, resources, or position openly and honestly.
The metaphor comes from card games where concealing your hand is strategic—laying cards down means abandoning secrecy.
After weeks of negotiation, she finally laid her cards on the table.
The phrase implies a decisive move toward transparency, often to force resolution or build trust.
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- come cleanAdmit the full truth
- candorUnguarded truthfulness
- trustConfidence in another
- heart to heartCandid intimate discussion
honest conversation · dialogue · clear the air · risk-taking · show your hand · planning · vulnerability · sincerity · speak one's mind · disclosure · full disclosure · discussion · tactics · declaration · no holds barred · forthrightness · straight talk · cooperation
lay one's cards on the tablekeep mum
Remain silent intentionally
clam up · keep one's own counsel · hold back · keep one's counsel · stonewall
lay one's cards on the tablebluff
Calculated false front
deceive · mislead · dissemble · play games · beat around the bush