Call a spade a spade

Meaning

Speak honestly about something, even if it is blunt.

Usage

Used to praise candor or blunt language. Note: because 'spade' is also a racial slur, many writers avoid this phrase today.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

From a 16th-century translation tracing back to ancient Greek expressions.

Survived centuries of translated prose and is still cited for frankness.