Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

on the up-and-up

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 6.00 in modern English

Syllables: on the up-and-up
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Legitimate; honest; upright.

Informal

adj

Becoming more successful; on the rise.

British usage; Informal

Example Sentences

"Before paying any money, make sure the organization is on the up-and-up."
"You double-cross me, you son of a bitch. I bet English gave you a sawbuck so he could take her out and give her a jump, and you sit back there collecting fifty bucks from me becuss^([sic]) I'm sap enough to think you're on the up-and-up with me."
"“Which you also have to order from his Web site, I'm betting. Are you sure this doctor is on the up-and-up?” “He wrote a book, Abs. Of course he's on the up-and-up.”"

Etymology

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

Usage

Informal
British usage

Inflected Forms

on the up and up (alternative)

Phrases

on the up

Frequently Paired Words

on the up

Synonyms

above board bona fide

Questions

What does on the up-and-up mean?: Legitimate; honest; upright.
Where does on the up-and-up come from?: First use appears in the US c. 1863. Its exact origins are uncertain, but it is theorized to have originated in sports betting.

How to pronounce on the up-and-up

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