Unit 10: Honesty and Fairness

above board

If a situation or business is above board, it is honest and legal.

not beat around the bush (or not beat about the bush)

To say what you want to say clearly and directly.

below the belt

If someone says something that is below the belt, they say something cruel and unfair.

by fair means or foul

To use any possible method to achieve something, not caring if the behaviour is dishonest or unfair.

call a spade a spade

To speak honestly and directly about a subject even if it offends people.

come clean

To tell the truth about something.

fair and square

To win a competition or do something without cheating or lying.

keep your nose clean

To behave well and avoid trouble.

lay your cards on the table (or put your cards on the table)

To tell someone the truth about your feelings, opinions, or plans.

a level playing field

A situation that is fair and where no one has an advantage over other people.

move the goalposts (or shift the goalposts)

To change the rules or aims in a situation to gain an advantage and make things more difficult for others.

on the level

Someone or something that is honest or true.

stab someone in the back

To secretly do something which hurts and betrays someone who trusts you.

to someone’s face

To say something, especially something critical or unpleasant, directly to a person.