put (one's) cards on the table

To reveal something that one has kept hidden, such as one's motives, intentions, opinion, etc.; to be very candid. A reference to a player in a card game revealing the cards that they were holding. You deserve honesty, so I'm going to put my cards on the table. I can't offer you this job, but we may have another position that you'd be good for. Brian says he starts every relationship by putting his cards on the table—that way there's no secrets.

put (or lay) your cards on the table

be completely open and honest in declaring your resources, intentions, or attitude.

put/lay your ˈcards on the table

(informal) talk honestly and openly about your thoughts and intentions, especially when these have been secret until now: It’s time I put my cards on the table; I can’t afford the price you’re asking.

put

/have all (one's) eggs in one basket Informal

To risk everything on a single venture.

put

/lay (one's) cards on the table

To make frank and clear revelation, as of one's motives or intentions.

put

/set (one's) house in order

To organize one's affairs in a sensible, logical way.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cards on the table, to lay/put one's

To be completely candid, to hide nothing. The term comes from numerous card games in which the players must at some point turn their cards faceup and show their hands. The expression was transferred to a more general meaning in the late sixteenth century.