call a spade a spade

call a spade a spade
phrasal
: to give a thing its plain name even if considered offensive : speak plainly or bluntly without elaboration or euphemism

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call a spade a spade
To speak plainly without euphemism
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Main Entry: ↑spade

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call a spade a spade phrase
to say very directly what you think about someone or something even if this is rude
Thesaurus: talking in a direct waysynonym
Main entry: spade

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I
see spade I
II
speak plainly without avoiding unpleasant or embarrassing issues

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call a spade a spade — see ↑spade
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Main Entry: ↑call
————————
call a spade a spade
: to speak in an honest and direct way

Why don't you just call a spade a spade and say that he's a liar?

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Main Entry: ↑spade

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call a spade a ˈspade idiom
to say exactly what you think without trying to hide your opinion
Main entry: ↑callidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • call a spade a spade — {v. phr.} To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. * /A boy took some money from Dick s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • call a spade a spade — {v. phr.} To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. * /A boy took some money from Dick s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • call a spade a spade — A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • call a spade a spade — ► call a spade a spade speak plainly and frankly. Main Entry: ↑spade …   English terms dictionary

  • call a spade a spade — say it in plain language; the straight goods    Kris will report the facts. She s not afraid to call a spade a spade …   English idioms

  • call a spade a spade — to tell the truth about something, even if it is not polite or pleasant. You know me, I call a spade a spade and when I see someone behaving like an idiot, I tell them …   New idioms dictionary

  • call\ a\ spade\ a\ spade — v. phr. To call a person or thing a name that is true but not polite; speak bluntly; use the plainest language. A boy took some money from Dick s desk and said he borrowed it, but I told him he stole it; I believe in calling a spade a spade …   Словарь американских идиом

  • call a spade a spade —    A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    A person who calls a spade a spade speaks… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • call a spade a spade — verb to speak the truth; to say things as they really are Maybe God just calls a spade a spade, when the president talks to God …   Wiktionary

  • call a spade a spade — speak bluntly He was calling a spade a spade when he began to criticize his employee for being lazy …   Idioms and examples

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