TO CALL A SPADE A SPADE

Meaning of the idiom ‘call a spade a spade’.

To call a spade a spade is an idiomatic expression that means to express your feelings or speak about someone or something honestly, even if it offends or hurts people. When you call a spade a spade, you know that it’s probably going to come across as rude or offensive.

Calling a spade a spade is difficult for most people as the matter is often unpleasant or challenging and has negative repercussions. And no one likes to be a villain as when you call a spade a spade, you’re not being diplomatic and trying to be nice, you just want to tell the truth as you see it. You feel the need to do it because the matter is, often, being ignored by others. 

This idiom is commonly used in spoken English, workplace conversations, and personal opinions. It has an honest, and direct (sometimes blunt) tone to it.

Where It’s Used in Real Life

This phrase is often used:

• In workplace feedback
• During disagreements (both in personal and professional contexts)
• While discussing difficult topics

Practice Exercise (Try This!)

Fill in the blanks with your own ideas:

1. I didn’t want to hurt my friend’s feelings, but I had to call a spade a spade because _________.
2. At work, my manager called a spade a spade when she said _________.
3. One thing people should start calling a spade a spade is _________.

The sample answers to the practice set are provided at the end of the article.

To Call A Spade A Spade in real-life examples

Example 1

The guy you’re about to marry is a fraud. He has been dating multiple girls for years behind your back. It deeply hurts me to say this, but I have to call a spade a spade. It’s about your future.

Example 2

Riya: Why did you pick a fight with Jon at the meeting? He is our manager. We might have to pay a price for it.

Akshay: He was lying in front of the board members. You know that he didn’t work on the project; we did. It succeeded because of us. He was taking the credit. I had to call a spade a spade.

Example 3

One of the most important requirements of this job is to call a spade a spade. 

Example 4

We need the best guys for this project to be successful. So, if you’re not good enough or lack something that’s vital for the success of the project, you won’t be selected. We are going to call a spade a spade. This is not personal; this is business.

Example 5

Just because he called a spade a spade, the company fired him. But we needed someone who could call a spade a spade so that we can grow. If he had sucked up to the management like everyone and not called a spade a spade, he wouldn’t have gotten fired.

Important Note on using “call a spade a spade”

Be careful where and how you use this phrase. In formal situations or with sensitive people, it may sound blunt.

Instead of:

“I’ll just call a spade a spade — you’re lazy.”

Try:

“If I may be direct, the consistency in your effort has been low.”

‘Call a spade a spade’ in different contexts

1. At work:

“Let’s call a spade a spade — this project failed because we didn’t plan it well.”

The speaker is being honest about what went wrong, instead of hiding behind excuses.

2. With friends:

“You say he’s just ‘confused’, but let’s call a spade a spade — he’s ghosting you.”

Sometimes we protect people with nicer words. This phrase cuts through that.

3. In feedback:

“I don’t mean to offend you, but I have to call a spade a spade — your tone in meetings comes across as arrogant.”

Use this with care — tone matters. It’s honesty, not cruelty.

Practice set answers:

1. I didn’t want to hurt my friend’s feelings, but I had to call a spade a spade because he was clearly being taken advantage of.
2. At work, my manager called a spade a spade when she said our presentation lacked clarity and focus.
3. One thing people should start calling a spade a spade is toxic positivity — not every situation needs fake smiles.

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