called a spade a spade
Named things directly
To call a spade a spade is to speak bluntly and directly, naming things as they are without euphemism or diplomatic softening: She called a spade a spade and told him his business plan was terrible.
The phrase implies a preference for plain truth over polite evasion.
Someone who called a spade a spade refused to mince words about something others might tiptoe around.
- franknessDirect, unguarded honesty
- straight-shooterForthright, candid person
- shoot from the hipAct or speak impulsively
- bluntnessFrank, unvarnished manner
- brutal honestyUnsparing directness in speech
directness · pull no punches · honesty · truthful · hard truths · candor · forthright · speak your mind · sincerity · unvarnished · tactlessness · honest-to-goodness · plainspoken · moral courage · transparent · cards on the table · outspoken · tell it like it is
called a spade a spadebeat around the bush
Avoid stating directly
hedged · minced words · soft-pedaled · glossed over · equivocated
called a spade a spadelied
Told a falsehood
dissembled · deceived · prevaricated · misrepresented · obfuscated
calls, calling, caller, callers, called, spade, spades, spaded, spading