up-front

[uhp-fruhnt]

adjective

1. invested or paid in advance or as beginning capital.

   an up-front fee of five percent and an additional five percent when the job is done.

2. honest; candid; straightforward.

   He's very up-front about discussing his past.

3. conspicuous or prominent.

   The company has an up-front position in its industry.

4. located in the front or forward section.

   to request up-front seats on a plane.

adverb

1. as an initial investment, beginning capital, or an advance payment.

   They'll need a half-million dollars up-front before opening the business.

2. before other payments, deductions, or returning a profit.

   Estimated operating expenses will be deducted up-front.

Word History and Origins

Origin of up front¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Idioms and Phrases

In the forward section, as of an airplane or theater. For example, We'd like two seats as far up front as possible . [First half of 1900s]

Paid in advance, as in We need at least half of the money for the production up front . [ Colloquial ; c. 1930]

Candid, direct, as in Now tell me straight up front what you think of this outfit . [Second half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

“This was likely driven by the up-front administrative changes needed to implement the demonstration, the delayed start date for enrollment, and any duplication in administrative spending due to the delay.”

From Salon

Pedro Neto showed last season that he is capable of filling in on an emergency basis, with Palmer and George both having played as up-front in the past.

From BBC

The 80-year-old is on a fixed income and wants to build an ADU to rent out to a long-term tenant, but she’s worried she won’t be able to afford the up-front costs of surveys, permits and fees.

From Los Angeles Times

Savings on maintenance and gas could help offset ongoing insurance fees and high up-front price tags on EVs.

From Los Angeles Times

The up-front cost of EVs is higher on average than for petrol cars.

From BBC