Английский словарь американских идиом - lay one's cards on the table

or lay down one's cards or put one's cards on the table {v. phr.}, {informal} To let someone know your position and interest openly; deal honestly; act without trickery or secrets. * /In talking about buying the property, Peterson laid his cards on the table about his plans for it./ * /Some of the graduates of the school were unfriendly toward the new superintendent, but he put his cards on the table and won their support./