See also: aboveboard and above-board English Alternative forms aboveboard, above-board Etymology See above-board. Pronunciation Audio (General Australian):(file) Prepositional phrase above board (idiomatic) Openly, without deceit. 2001, Michael Inne, A Family Affair, page 82:' […] And he explained this business of confidential commissions?' / 'Yes, he did. And it seemed to turn out quite respectable and above board.' Mrs Meatyard considered. 'Or almost above board. (idiomatic) Honestly, reputably. They conducted the negotiations completely above board. Usage notes The preferred spellings for the adjective uses of the term are aboveboard and above-board. Synonyms (openly): straightforwardly, transparently Translations openly Dutch: openlijk (nl), rechtuit (nl), met de handen op tafel, niets onderhands Finnish: avoimin kortein, rehellisesti (fi), avoimesti (fi), salailematta French: ouvertement (fr), franchement (fr) Polish: otwarcie (pl), jawnie (pl) honestly Chinese: Mandarin: 光明正大地 (guāngmíngzhèngdàde) Dutch: volgens het boekje, eerlijk (nl), loyaal (nl) Finnish: rehellisesti (fi), avoimesti (fi), avoimin kortein French: franchement (fr), honnêtement (fr), honorablement (fr) Polish: uczciwie (pl) See also by the book under the table on the up-and-upWikiwand - on Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.