call a spade a shovel
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom call a spade a spade.
Verb
editcall a spade a shovel (third-person singular simple present calls a spade a shovel, present participle calling a spade a shovel, simple past and past participle called a spade a shovel)
- To put it more than bluntly; to express a truth forcefully; to use exaggerated language to make a statement of fact.