1
general::
Phrase(s): call a spade a spade
Fig. to call something by its right name; to speak frankly about something, even if it is unpleasant. (Considered offensive by some. Use only with discretion.) • Well, I believe it’s time to call a spade a spade. We are just avoiding the issue. • Let’s call a spade a spade. The man is a liar.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
Speak frankly and bluntly, be explicit, as in You can always trust Mary to call a spade a spade. This term comes from a Greek saying, call a bowl a bowl, that was mistranslated into Latin by Erasmus and came into English in the 1500s. Also see TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
American Heritage Idioms