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up front

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up front

 

1. in the forefront; under fire (at the front). You guys who are up front are gonna get the most fire. You two go up front and see if you can help.

2. Fig. at the beginning; in advance. She wanted $200 up front. The more you pay up front, the less you'll have to finance.

3. Fig. open; honest; forthcoming. She is a very up front gal—trust her. I wish the salesman had been more up front about it.

See also: front, up

up front

if you give someone an amount of money up front, you pay them before they start a job Did you pay up front or are you waiting till they've finished the job?

See also: front, up

up front

1. In the forward section, as of an airplane or theater. For example, We'd like two seats as far up front as possible. [First half of 1900s]

2. Paid in advance, as in We need at least half of the money for the production up front. [Colloquial; c. 1930]

3. Candid, direct, as in Now tell me straight up front what you think of this outfit. [Second half of 1900s]

See also: front, up

up front

1. mod. at the beginning; in advance. The more you pay up front, the less you’ll have to finance.

2. mod. open; honest; forthcoming. I wish the salesman had been more up front about it.

3. mod. in the forefront; under fire (at the front). You guys who are up front are gonna get the most fire.

See also: front, up