on the up-and-up

1. 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]

Example Sentences

“And, frankly, any speculation would be crazy. These were guys who committed fraud. Look, they conned me. I made an investment in these guys thinking it was on the up-and-up and they conned me. At this stage, I have no ability to predict why they did anything they did.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At just about every turn, our loveable “schmo” suspects that something about “The Goat” isn't on the up-and-up — even at one point outright declaring that the whole show must be an elaborate prank on him.

Read more on Salon

The least we can hope for is an election that’s on the up-and-up.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Wrestling pretended for so long to be on the up-and-up.

Read more on Seattle Times

To do that has meant taking on disinformation and creating opportunity where “people believe that our democracy is on the up-and-up.”

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• candid 
• civil 
• clean 
• courteous 
• decent 
• equal 
• equitable 
• generous 
• good 
• honest 
• honorable 
• impartial 
• lawful 
• legitimate 
• neutral 
• objective 
• principled 
• proper 
• reasonable 
• sincere