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call a spade a spade

call a spade a spade
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [kawl ey speyd ey speyd]
    • /kɔl eɪ speɪd eɪ speɪd/
    • /kɔːl ə speɪd ə speɪd/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kawl ey speyd ey speyd]
    • /kɔl eɪ speɪd eɪ speɪd/

Definitions of call a spade a spade words

  • noun call a spade a spade to speak plainly and frankly 3
  • noun call a spade a spade to call something by its right name; use plain, blunt words 3
  • noun call a spade a spade a tool for digging, having an iron blade adapted for pressing into the ground with the foot and a long handle commonly with a grip or crosspiece at the top, and with the blade usually narrower and flatter than that of a shovel. 1
  • noun call a spade a spade some implement, piece, or part resembling this. 1
  • noun call a spade a spade a sharp projection on the bottom of a gun trail, designed to dig into the earth to restrict backward movement of the carriage during recoil. 1
  • verb with object call a spade a spade to dig, cut, or remove with a spade (sometimes followed by up): Let's spade up the garden and plant some flowers. 1
See all 10 definitions of call a spade a spade

Information block about the term

Origin of call a spade a spade

First appearance:

before 900
One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; Middle English (noun); Old English spadu; cognate with Dutch spade, German Spaten, Old Norse spathi spade, Greek spáthē broad, flat piece of wood

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Call a spade a spade

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Call a spade a spade

call a spade a spade popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

call a spade a spade usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for call a spade a spade

verb call a spade a spade

  • delineate — If you delineate something such as an idea or situation, you describe it or define it, often in a lot of detail.
  • represent — to present again or anew.
  • decide — If you decide to do something, you choose to do it, usually after you have thought carefully about the other possibilities.
  • describe — If you describe a person, object, event, or situation, you say what they are like or what happened.
  • prescribe — to lay down, in writing or otherwise, as a rule or a course of action to be followed; appoint, ordain, or enjoin.

adj call a spade a spade

  • categorical — If you are categorical about something, you state your views very definitely and firmly.
  • sincere — free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest: a sincere apology.
  • outspoken — uttered or expressed with frankness or without reserve: outspoken criticism.
  • candid — When you are candid about something or with someone, you speak honestly.
  • blunt — If you are blunt, you say exactly what you think without trying to be polite.
All 75 Synonyms of call a spade a spade

Antonyms for call a spade a spade

verb call a spade a spade

  • hesitate — to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
  • obscure — (of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract.
  • misrepresent — to represent incorrectly, improperly, or falsely.
  • hide — Informal. to administer a beating to; thrash.
  • distort — to twist awry or out of shape; make crooked or deformed: Arthritis had distorted his fingers.

adj call a spade a spade

  • tactful — having or manifesting tact: a tactful person; a tactful reply.
  • dishonest — not honest; disposed to lie, cheat, or steal; not worthy of trust or belief: a dishonest person.
  • untruthful — not truthful; wanting in veracity; diverging from or contrary to the truth; not corresponding with fact or reality.
  • tricky — given to or characterized by deceitful tricks; crafty; wily.
  • devious — If you describe someone as devious you do not like them because you think they are dishonest and like to keep things secret, often in a complicated way.
All 29 Antonyms of call a spade a spade

See also

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