The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 plus 5 letter word ABOVE BOARD
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
B
O
V
E
B
O
A
R
D
More clues leading to the result ABOVE BOARD
- Honest chairman's elevated position?
- Straight over table
- Upright is how a surfer prefers to be
- Frank’s too grand for meal provision
- Frank with more clout than the directors?
- Straight on table
- It’s not beneath the directors, to be honest
- In the open like a successful surfer?
- Surfer’s position should be this open
- Trustworthy, senior to directors
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "sober, to be honest" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sober, to be honest = above board.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ABOVE BOARD mean?
ABOVE BOARD adjective- In open sight; without trick, concealment, or deception.
- Honestly; openly.