对于共同合作的项目，如果每方都对核心的东西藏着掖着，那么就很难找到共同的交集或利益点，或合作的基础薄弱，势必影响预期的目标。因此该摊牌时，一定要合理地摊牌。有的时候和盘托出是为了寻找知己，同时也能更好地识别敌友。和盘托出或摊牌意思就是毫无保留地公开自己的意图。“摊牌”用英文直译就是 show one's cards，刚好它也就是我们想要的意思，意为“公开自己的意图，让对手摸着底细”等，相当于 show one's hand，例如：In business negotiations, it's important that you don't show your cards right away, or you might risk losing out on the best deal.在商务谈判中，重要的是你不要马上摊牌，否则你可能会失去最好的交易。There were so many rumours that the company was forced to show its hand.谣言太多，这家公司被迫表态。还有一个跟 show one's cards 类似的是 put/lay one's cards on the table，它是扑克游戏中很出名的一个短语，表示赢家必须把牌放在桌子上以显示和证明有赢牌的组合，意为”摊牌“，就是和盘托出的意思，相当于 talk honestly and openly，例如：When John met up with Jane on their first date, John laid his cards on the table for Jane to know what he wanted.约翰和简第一次约会就碰面了，约翰直接摊牌让简知道他想要什么。When Daniel visited his therapist, he put his cards on the table so that he could get help.当丹尼尔去看他的治疗师时，他说出自己的所有想法以便得到帮助。It’s time I put my cards on the table; I can’t afford the price you’re asking.是我摊牌的时候了；我付不起你要的价钱。Shawn thought it was the right time to put his cards on the table and tell his friend that he had no intention of continuing with him in the partnership.肖恩认为现在是摊牌的好时机，告诉他的朋友他无意继续和他合作。
注意该习语中的 card 是复数，因为在扑克游戏中它是指很多牌的组合。与之相反的是 hold/keep/play one's cards close to one's chest/vest，字面意思是把牌放到接近胸口的地方，大家可以稍微想象一下，它用来比喻保留自己的想法，意为”秘而不宣，守口如瓶“，例如：He is very cautious. He plays his cards close to his chest.他非常谨慎，守口如瓶。We're all curious about what the boss has been discussing in those meetings with the lawyers, but she's playing her cards close to her chest.我们都很好奇老板在和律师的那些会议上讨论了些什么，但她是秘而不宣。Williams is playing his cards close to his chest, especially in terms of his driver line-up for next season.威廉姆斯一直秘而不宣，尤其是下赛季的车手阵容方面。和 put one's cards on the table 意思最接近的是 reveal 或 bring out，但reveal 例如：reveal 指揭露此前不为人知或隐秘的事，常可与 disclose 换用，例如：The committee pressed him to reveal more information.委员会要求他透露更多信息。The journalist refused to reveal her sources.这位记者拒绝透露她的消息来源。bring out 表示使某种通常不易显露的行为或情感显示出来，例如：He is totally dedicated and brings out the best in his pupils.他全身心地投入，最大限度地激发学生的潜能。I just think that the pursuit of money tends to bring out the worst in people.我只是觉得，追求金钱往往会让人产生最坏的一面。对于想维持的关系，不应该有所保留。对于不重要的或不清不楚的关系，要适当保留。
