call a spade a shovel
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From call a spade a spade.
Verb edit
call 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.