Above Board
Pedagogically reviewed by LexFizz Team
Legitimate, honest, and open — done according to the rules with nothing hidden.
Quick meaning: If something is "above board," it is completely honest and legal, with no hidden motives or deception. For example, a business deal that is above board is one where everything is declared openly and follows the rules.
Meaning
When someone says a situation, deal, or person is above board, they mean it is transparent, honest, and entirely legitimate. There is no cheating, no hidden agenda, and no secret activity going on. The phrase reassures others that everything is being done openly and in accordance with the rules or law.
The expression is particularly common in business and legal contexts. You might say a contract is above board, meaning it was negotiated fairly and documented properly. You could describe a company as above board to indicate it operates ethically and lawfully. It can also be used as a reassuring phrase when someone suspects wrongdoing: "Everything we did was completely above board."
The opposite of above board is something done "under the table" or "behind the scenes" — covertly, secretly, or illegally.
Origin
This idiom comes from card games. The "board" referred to is the gaming table. When a player keeps their hands above the board (the table surface), their actions are visible to everyone — they cannot secretly swap cards, conceal extra cards, or manipulate the game dishonestly. Keeping hands below the table allowed for cheating, so hands kept above it signalled honest play.
The expression appears in English writing from the early 17th century. Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher used it in a 1616 play, and it appears in several 17th-century texts referring to card games. Over time it generalised beyond gambling to describe honesty and transparency in any context. Reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary catalogue thousands of such figurative expressions, showing how idiomatic meanings take shape over time.
Both the hyphenated form "above-board" and the two-word form "above board" are acceptable in modern usage; the two-word form is more common today.
Example Sentences
The auditors confirmed that all the company's financial dealings were completely above board.
She wanted to make sure the recruitment process was above board, so she documented every decision in writing.
"I can assure you," the contractor said, "everything about this tender was above board — we followed every regulation to the letter."
Dialogue Example
A: I heard there were some questions about how the land was acquired. Should we be worried?
B: Not at all. The whole acquisition was above board — we have the planning documents, the valuations, and every approval right here.
Usage Notes
This phrase is more common in British English than American English, though it is well understood in both. It tends to appear in formal and semi-formal contexts — business, law, journalism — though it can also be used in everyday speech to reassure someone. It functions as a predicate adjective ("the deal is above board") or an adverb ("they acted above board").
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes write "aboard" as one word, confusing it with the nautical "aboard." The correct form is two separate words: above board. Also, do not confuse "above board" with "on board," which means to agree with or be involved in something — they have quite different meanings.
Related Idioms
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Quick Check: Above Board
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Above Board” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “The auditors confirmed that all the company's financial dealings were completely _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "above board" mean?
It means honest, transparent, and legitimate — done openly according to the rules, with nothing hidden or deceptive.
How do you use "above board" in a sentence?
You can say "everything is above board" or "the deal was completely above board." It is most often used to reassure someone that a situation is legitimate and honest.
Where does "above board" come from?
It comes from card games. The "board" is the gaming table. Keeping hands above the table meant opponents could see you were not cheating by hiding or swapping cards. The expression has been used figuratively since the early 17th century.
Is "above board" one word or two?
It is two words: "above board." You may occasionally see the hyphenated form "above-board" used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., "an above-board transaction"), but the two-word form is standard.
What is the opposite of "above board"?
The opposite is something done "under the table," "behind closed doors," or "under the counter" — all implying secrecy, deception, or illegality.
Is "above board" formal or informal?
It is semi-formal. It is common in business, legal, and journalistic writing but also used in everyday conversation, particularly when reassuring someone that everything is legitimate.
Is this idiom used in American English?
Yes, though it is more common in British English. American speakers are familiar with it and use it, particularly in formal or business contexts.
Can "above board" describe a person?
Yes, you can describe a person as above board to mean they are straightforward, honest, and trustworthy. "She's always been completely above board in her dealings with clients."
What are common collocations with "above board"?
Common collocations include "completely above board," "entirely above board," "keep things above board," "everything is above board," and "above-board transaction."
What English level is "above board" suitable for?
It is pitched at B2 (Upper Intermediate) level. The phrase is idiomatic and requires understanding of business and ethical contexts as well as figurative language.