on the up-and-up

Idioms and Phrases

Open and honest, as in Dad has always been on the up-and-up with them . The precise allusion in this term is unknown. [ Colloquial ; c. 1860]

Related Words

• detachedly
• disinterestedly
• equitably
• indifferently
• justly
• neutrally
• soberly
• squarely

More About On The Up And Up

What does on the up-and-up mean?

On the up-and-up is a phrase that describes something as being open and honest, without any lying or cheating, as in Malik wondered whether the gamble house was on the up-and-up or if it was cheating its customers. 

A person who is described as on the up-and-up is being honest, as in The salesman was always on the up-and-up with potential clients. 

Example: The insurance company hires investigators to ensure claims are on the up-and-up and the insured isn’t trying to cheat the company.

Where does on the up-and-up come from?

The first records of on the up-and-up come from around 1860. It is a conversational expression, and it is unknown what the phrase is indirectly referring to.

You’re likely to use on the up-and-up when you are suspicious about someone or something or when you are reassuring someone else that you are being honest. For this reason, on the up-and-up is likely to be used in reference to things like gambling, business, or politics, which have greater potential for dishonesty and cheating.

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What are some synonyms for on the up-and-up?

• honest
• even-handed
• ethical
• trustworthy

What are some words that share a root or word element with on the up-and-up? 

• on
• the
• up
• and

What are some words that often get used in discussing on the up-and-up?

• swindle
• cheat
• honest
• business

How is on the up-and-up used in real life?

People use on the up-and-up when they are suspicious of something or when an investigation has been performed.

I'm so giddy from exhaustion that I think I will provide all my account info to "Pya Pal." I'm sure it's on the up-and-up.

— Laura Lippman (@LauraMLippman) February 6, 2015

Guys I don’t think this Trump fella is on the up and up.

— Matt Blankman (@blankemon) November 9, 2020

I'm not saying all the massage places in Redondo Beach are shady, but there's waaaaay too many of them to be on the up and up.

— Heather Poole (@Heather_Poole) January 7, 2016

Try using on the up-and-up!

Is on the up-and-up used correctly in the following sentence?

We were startled to learn that our favorite coffee shop hadn’t been on the up-and-up and had been swindling customers for years.