Lay (one's) cards on the table Verb + object/complement
If you lay your cards on the table, you tell people about your plans, intentions, opinion or feelings, etc.in a clear honest way.
I think it's time I lay my cards on the table, and tell you what I'm thinking about this problem.
He decided to lay his cards on the table.
If you lay/put your cards on the table, you tell people about your plans, intentions, opinion or feelings, etc.in a clear honest way.
The verb "lay" should be conjugated according to its tense.
A problem or difficult circumstance
I'm short-sighted, so forgetting my glasses is a real hair in the butter for my sight.