Phrase guide

put one's cards on the table

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To reveal one's true intentions, beliefs, feelings, or other previously concealed facts about one's situation; to speak frankly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese: 摊牌 (tānpái) — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Dutch: zijn kaarten op tafel leggen — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Dutch: het achterste van zijn tong laten zien — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Finnish: lyödä kortit pöytään — to reveal one's true intentions
  • French: abattre ses cartes — to reveal one's true intentions
  • French: abattre son jeu — to reveal one's true intentions
  • German: die Karten auf den Tisch legen — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Italian: mettere le carte in tavola — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Polish: wykładać karty na stół — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Polish: wyłożyć karty na stół — to reveal one's true intentions
  • Russian: раскры́ть ка́рты (raskrýtʹ kárty) — to reveal one's true intentions