Adjective / Adverb
/əˈbʌv bɔrd/
The phrase "above board" means to be honest, open, and not hiding anything. It is commonly used to refer to actions, dealings, or practices that are transparent and conducted in a straightforward manner. This expression is often encountered in both spoken and written English, though it may appear more frequently in written contexts such as journalism, business communications, and legal contexts due to its formal connotation.
The company assures that all its transactions are above board.
(Компания уверяет, что все её транзакции открыты и честны.)
He claimed that his actions were above board, but there were still doubts about his integrity.
(Он утверждал, что его действия были честными, но всё же существовали сомнения относительно его честности.)
It’s important to keep everything above board during negotiations to establish trust.
(Важно поддерживать всё в открытом виде на протяжении переговоров, чтобы установить доверие.)
The phrase "above board" is particularly important in contexts that emphasize honesty and integrity, especially in business and legal discussions. Here are some idiomatic uses:
When running a business, it’s essential to keep your procedures above board.
(При ведении бизнеса крайне важно проводить свои процедуры открыто и честно.)
If we want to build a good relationship, we need to be above board about our expectations.
(Если мы хотим построить хорошие отношения, нам нужно открыто обсуждать наши ожидания.)
The project was scrutinized, but it was found to be completely above board.
(Проект подвергся проверке, но было установлено, что он совершенно легитимен.)
Even under pressure, she managed to keep her dealings above board.
(Даже под давлением она смогла поддерживать свои деловые практики открытыми и честными.)
The politician promised his campaign would be above board and free of corruption.
(Политик пообещал, что его избирательная кампания будет честной и свободной от коррупции.)
The expression "above board" originates from the world of gambling. When playing cards, it was crucial to keep your hands above the table (the board), so opponents could see that you weren't hiding anything. Over time, it evolved to denote any action or practice that is transparent and honest.