Dictionary.com

call a spade a spade

SEE SYNONYMS FOR call a spade a spade ON THESAURUS.COM

To speak directly and bluntly; to avoid euphemism: “The prosecutor said, ‘Let's call a spade a spade. You didn't borrow the money, you stole it.’”

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!
Question 1 of 10
A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?
Often it means something is impossible.
It’s another way to agree with someone.
It serves as an apology.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby call a spade a spade

call-and-response, Callanetics, callant, Callao, Callas, call a spade a spade, callathump, callback, call-board, call box, callboy
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Words related to call a spade a spade

matter-of-fact, straightforward, guileless, outspoken, honest, candid, blunt, naive, forthright, categorical, sincere, plainspoken, delineate, represent, decide, explain, describe, prescribe, detail, spell out

Idioms and Phrases with call a spade a spade

call a spade a spade

Speak frankly and bluntly, be explicit, as in You can always trust Mary to call a spade a spade. This term comes from a Greek saying, call a bowl a bowl, that was mistranslated into Latin by Erasmus and came into English in the 1500s. Also see tell it like it is.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.