what-you-see-is-what-you-get
No hidden surprises
What-you-see-is-what-you-get describes a display or interface where the appearance on screen matches the final output.
The phrase originated in computing for word processors and design software that show documents as they'll print, rather than as raw code.
It's often abbreviated WYSIWYG.
Extended to people, it suggests transparency—no hidden agenda or pretense: He's a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy.
State of being see-through
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- genuinenessQuality of being real
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
straightforwardness · candor · directness · frankness · openness · unpretentiousness · forthrightness · bluntness
Display matches printout
- drag-and-dropMoving items via cursor
- interfaceShared connection point
- previewAdvance showing sample
- real-timeOccurring without processing delay
Spatial arrangement of elements
- typographyArranging letters for display
- formattingStructuring visual presentation
- typesettingArranging text for print
- fontCharacter style set
alignment · spacing · composition · template · style · graphics · images · color
transparency
State of being see-through
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- genuinenessQuality of being real
- sincerityHonest, unfeigned genuineness
honesty · straightforwardness · candor · directness · frankness · openness · unpretentiousness · forthrightness · bluntness · plainspokenness
WYSIWYG
Display matches printout
- drag-and-dropMoving items via cursor
- interfaceShared connection point
- previewAdvance showing sample
real-time · screen · user-friendly · WordPress · Squarespace
layout
Spatial arrangement of elements
- typographyArranging letters for display
- formattingStructuring visual presentation
- typesettingArranging text for print
font · alignment · spacing · composition · template · style · graphics · images · color · print
what-you-see-is-what-you-getduplicitous
Deliberately deceptive in nature
deceptive · two-faced · fake · phony · disingenuous
what-you-see-is-what-you-getmore than meets the eye
Hidden significance underneath
enigmatic · mysterious · inscrutable · cryptic · hidden depths