calling a spade a spade
Unvarnished direct speech
Calling a spade a spade is speaking bluntly and directly, naming things as they are without euphemism or evasion.
The phrase implies a refusal to soften unpleasant truths: I'm just calling a spade a spade—the project failed because of poor leadership.
Sometimes used defensively to justify harsh remarks as mere honesty.
- telling it like it isSpeaking plain, unfiltered truth
- franknessDirect, unguarded honesty
- candorUnguarded truthfulness
- truthfulnessHabit of not lying
- directnessQuality of being straightforward
no sugarcoating · honesty · sincerity · speak your mind · lay it on the line · tactlessness · truth-telling · plain-speaking · straight shooter · straightforwardness · confrontation · tough love · transparency · bluntness · brutal honesty · pull no punches · forthrightness · courage
calling a spade a spadebeating around the bush
Avoiding direct communication
hedging · mincing words · equivocating · obfuscating · pussyfooting
calling a spade a spadelying
Stating known falsehoods
dissembling · deceiving · whitewashing · glossing over · misrepresenting
calls, called, caller, callers, calling, spade, spades, spaded, spading