calls a spade a spade
Says it plainly
To call a spade a spade is to speak bluntly and directly, naming things exactly as they are without euphemism or diplomatic softening: She calls a spade a spade—if your work is sloppy, she'll tell you.
The phrase sometimes carries approval for honesty, sometimes criticism for tactlessness.
It has no connection to the playing card suit or the digging tool in modern usage.
- plain-speakingDirect, unadorned honesty
- straight talkHonest, direct communication
- plain EnglishUnadorned, accessible wording
- truth-tellingCommunicating only facts
- brutal honestyUnsparing directness in speech
truthfulness · hard truths · bare facts · tactlessness · straight shooter · shoot from the hip · candor · tell it like it is · speak your mind · bluntness · pull no punches · straightforwardness · no holds barred · explicitness · moral courage · authenticity · forthrightness · matter-of-factness
calls a spade a spadebeats around the bush
Avoids saying something directly
sugarcoats · minces words · hedges · pussyfoots · tiptoes around
calls a spade a spadetactful
Socially sensitive and careful
diplomatic · politic · mealy-mouthed · smooth-talking · honey-tongued
calls a spade a spadelies through one's teeth
Tells outright, shameless falsehoods
dissembles · deceives · misleads · whitewashes · glosses over
calls, called, calling, caller, callers, spade, spades, spaded, spading