To call a spade a spade
to speak plainly and directly; say things as they are
To call a spade a spade
to speak plainly and directly; say things as they are
Learning Progress
Examples
"People often get angry when one calls a spade a spade."
"The critic called a spade a spade in his review."
Mnemonic Trick
Spade = tool, calling it by name = blunt honesty.
Cultural Context
Useful for describing frankness; caution: can sound blunt or rude.
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