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.
“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
That may feel right and there’s nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade.
From Salon • Nov. 27, 2016
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)
