on the up-and-up

idiom

Meaning

Legitimate; honest; upright.

Origin

first recorded 19th c. disputed origin

First use appears in the US c. 1863. Its exact origins are uncertain, but it is theorized to have originated in sports betting.

Examples

SIMPLE

This deal is on the up-and-up, I promise.

CONTEXTUAL

Before investing, make sure the company is on the up-and-up and not hiding anything.

COMPLEX

Though his methods seemed unconventional, years of scrutiny proved the lawyer had always been on the up-and-up.

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Last updated April 17, 2026