call a spade a spade

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Verb 1.1.1 See also 1.1.2 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Verb

to call a spade a spade (third-person singular simple present calls a spade a spade, present participle calling a spade a spade, simple past and past participle called a spade a spade)

1. (idiomatic) 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. - Bright Eyes

[edit] See also

• call it like one sees it
• tell it how it is
• beat about the bush

[edit] Translations