lay one's cards on the table

lay one's cards on the table (third-person singular simple present lays one's cards on the table, present participle laying one's cards on the table, simple past and past participle laid one's cards on the table)

1. Alternative form of put one's cards on the table
   • 1915, Arthur B. Reeve, chapter 22, in The Gold of the Gods:

     "You may as well lay your cards on the table. Where is she—what have you done with her?"