Question

in_the_loop_103 to speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant Antonym: beat about/around the bush

Accepted Answer

CALL A SPADE A SPADE Some people say Ben is generous with his money, but I call a spade a spade. He’s not generous, he’s foolish.It’s polite of you to refer to them as “lively” children, but let’s call a spade a spade. They are actually very naughty. The expression is usually used when something is described more favorably than it deserves. Call a spade a spade is a request for a more realistic description. The phrase dates back to ancient Greece, where the words for “spade,” “boat,” and “bowl” were very similar; the original translation my have been ‘call a boat a boat.’

Id	in_the_loop_103
Idiom	CALL A SPADE A SPADE
Definition	to speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant
Examples	Some people say Ben is generous with his money, but I call a spade a spade. He’s not generous, he’s foolish. It’s polite of you to refer to them as “lively” children, but let’s call a spade a spade. They are actually very naughty.
Cross-Refs	Antonym: beat about/around the bush
Extra Info	The expression is usually used when something is described more favorably than it deserves. Call a spade a spade is a request for a more realistic description. The phrase dates back to ancient Greece, where the words for “spade,” “boat,” and “bowl” were very similar; the original translation my have been ‘call a boat a boat.’

Spade Call He’s Loop Speak Plainly Unpleasant People