put one's cards on the table verb1 •To reveal one's true intentions, beliefs, feelings, or other previously concealed facts about one's situation; to speak frankly."We needn't either of us," she continued, "be concerned for the other's reasons, though I'm perfectly ready, I assure you, to put my cards on the table." — 1899 formsputting one's cards on the table · puts one's cards on the table