aboveboard
UK: əˌbʌvˈbɔːd | US: əˌbʌvˈbɔːrd
adj. / adv. honest and open; without deception or concealment
The term "aboveboard" originates from the literal practice of keeping hands visibly above the board (e.g., a gaming table) to prevent cheating. By the 17th century, it evolved metaphorically to describe transparency in actions, emphasizing honesty as opposed to hidden or underhanded behavior. The morphemes "above" (Old English abufan) and "board" (Old English bord) retain their original spellings, reflecting the word’s concrete-to-abstract semantic shift.
The negotiations were conducted entirely aboveboard.
She assured us her business dealings were aboveboard.
Keep your transactions aboveboard to avoid legal issues.
His aboveboard attitude earned him trust in the community.
The contract was drafted in an aboveboard manner.