Meaning
To speak directly, frankly, and bluntly about something, describing it as it truly is without using euphemisms or sugarcoating.
It implies calling a bad or uncomfortable situation by its true name, even if doing so might sound harsh or offensive to others.
Origin
The phrase originates from ancient Greece. It is credited to the Greek playwright Menander and was recorded by Plutarch as calling a fig a fig, and a trough a trough. In the 16th century, the humanist scholar Erasmus translated Plutarch’s Greek word for «trough» (skaphe) into Latin as ligo (spade, digging tool). John Trapp brought this Latin version into English in 1547 as call a spade a spade, and the expression became a staple of English speech to denote uncompromising honesty.
Examples
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Let us call a spade a spade: this project was a total failure because of poor planning.
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I appreciate his management style because he always calls a spade a spade.
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Instead of making excuses for his behavior, we should call a spade a spade.
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A: Why are you being so blunt about his mistakes?
B: Because someone needs to call a spade a spade!
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Call a spade a spade' mean?
To speak directly, frankly, and bluntly about something, describing it as it truly is without using euphemisms or sugarcoating.
It implies calling a bad or uncomfortable situation by its true name, even if doing so might sound harsh or offensive to others.