Honesty and fairness

A level playing field

a situation in which everyone has the same opportunities

above board

honest and legal

below the belt

cruel and unfair

call a spade a spade

speak frankly and bluntly, be explicit

come clean

finally telling the truth about something you have been hiding

do something by the book

to do something strictly according to the rules

fair and square

do something without cheating or lying

keep your nose clean

to behave well and avoid trouble

lay your cards on the table

to reveal all the facts openly and honestly

move the goalposts

to change the rules while someone is trying to do something in order to make it more difficult for them

not beat around the bush

you say what you want to say clearly and directly

out of line

to behave in a way that is in appropriate

stab someone in the back

to betray someone

to someone's face

say something critical or unpleasant in front of or against someone directly