calling a spade a spade
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"They were even saying that they were afraid to say these things and thanked me for calling a spade a spade," she said.
From BBC • Jan. 13, 2022
“When you’re dealing with so much power, not speaking, not calling a spade a spade, makes you weaker, makes us more vulnerable.”
From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2021
I don’t think it’s fair to penalize anyone for calling a spade a spade, as inelegant as their calls may be, but I do think it’s fair to speak up.
From Slate • Jun. 10, 2019
But if the end result is the same -- well, I'm perfectly willing to calling a spade a spade.
From Scientific American • Mar. 17, 2018
He was, on the contrary, one of those distressing people who pride themselves on being outspoken, and calling a spade a spade, which they do in the most vulgar and disagreeable manner.
From It Might Have Been The Story of the Gunpowder Plot by Irwin, M. (Madelaine)
