Call a spade a spade

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Verb 1.1.1 Synonymous phrases 1.1.2 Translations

English

Verb

to call a spade a spade

1. ((idiomatic{{#if:|, {{{2}}}{{#if:|, {{{3}}}{{#if:|, {{{4}}}{{#if:|, {{{5}}}{{#if:|, {{{6}}}{{#if:|, {{{7}}}{{#if:|, {{{8}}}{{#if:|, {{{9}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}})) 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

Synonymous phrases

• call them like one sees them
• tell it how it is

Translations

• Spanish: llamar al pan, pan y al vino, vino