Complete honesty and transparency about all relevant information, especially when revealing potentially damaging or compromising details. It means holding nothing back and sharing all pertinent facts.
The phrase originated in legal and financial contexts where parties were required to reveal all material information that might affect decisions. It became more widespread in the late 20th century as transparency became valued in business, journalism, and personal relationships.
The phrase has become almost ritualistic in modern communication, often used as a preface to confessions or admissions that might otherwise seem deceptive. Interestingly, saying 'full disclosure' sometimes makes the following information seem more trustworthy, even when the disclosure might be selective rather than truly complete.
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