Definition of open a can of worms : to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn’t want to open a can of worms.
What is the meaning of the saying call a spade a spade? phrase. If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak clearly and directly about things, even embarrassing or unpleasant things.
Is it OK to say call a spade a spade? To complicate matters, the word spade came into use in the United States during the 1920s as a pejorative term for African-American. For this reason, the term call a spade a spade has sometimes been perceived as a racist phrase, even though its roots reach back to antiquity. Use caution when employing this phrase.
Where does the saying let’s call a spade a spade come from? The idiom originates in the classical Greek of Plutarch’s Apophthegmata Laconica, and was introduced into the English language in 1542 in Nicolas Udall’s translation of the Apophthegmes, where Erasmus had seemingly replaced Plutarch’s images of “trough” and “fig” with the more familiar “spade”.
What is another way to say call a spade a spade?
| be direct | be blunt |
|---|---|
| be candid | be straightforward |
| be to the point | shoot from the hip |
| speak frankly | speak honestly |
| pull no punches | come clean |
What is a spade used for? Spade is a tool used for digging straight-edged holes or trenches, slicing and lifting sod, and edging flower beds or lawns.
Can of Worms meaning? – Related Questions
What is the saying out in lavender?
The expression, mostly used in informal contexts, means to criticise someone severely; to give him/her a dressing down. *The CEO was angry with the Manager. She laid him out in lavender.
Can of Worms meaning?
Definition of open a can of worms : to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn’t want to open a can of worms.
Is a shovel a spade?
You may also notice that a spade tends to be straighter than a shovel from handle to blade tip. Whereas the shovel blade is usually angled forward, the spade blade is not. It’s that angle that makes the biggest difference in functionality between the two tools. The angled shovel blade makes it efficient for digging.
What is the opposite of calling a spade a spade?
MOST RELEVANT. tactful.
What’s another word for spade?
In this page you can discover 24 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for spade, like: garden tool, implement, trowel, scoop, pick-axe, shovel, pickaxe, crowbar, penknife, bucket and hatchet.
Who the people that uses spade?
Gardeners use a spade for digging. It is designed for the specific task of lifting up and removing dirt. This would be the tool of choice for digging a planting hole, a trench or a ditch. The blade or digging end, made of metal, is sharp.
What is a small spade called?
gardening trowel In gardening and horticulture, they are useful in planting and potting for digging holes and breaking up clumps of soil. Gardening trowels typically have strong, narrow blades with sharp points. They are a small type of spade.
What is the meaning of idiom white elephant?
something that is expensive, or that costs a lot of money to keep in good condition, but that has no useful purpose and is no longer wanted: She believes the development may become a white elephant that fails to attract suitable tenants.
What’s the saying something of grandeur?
A false and exaggerated belief about one’s status or importance. Delusions of grandeur are often considered to be synonymous with megalomania.
What does old as Methuselah mean?
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Methuselah’s name “has become a synonym for longevity”. Saying that someone is “as old as Methuselah” is a humorous way of saying that someone is very elderly.
Why do we say kettle of fish?
The saying has nothing to do with fish or kettles or boiling fish. It refers to another topic that’s very different or more advanced from the current subject matter. In this case, the kettle refers to the logos of information, and the fish is the specific subject matter in question.
What does the phrase drop of a hat mean?
idiom. If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately without stopping to think about it: People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases.4 days ago
What does the saying kettle of fish mean?
Definition of kettle of fish 1 : a bad state of affairs : mess. 2 : something to be considered or dealt with : matter a different kettle of fish.
What is the difference between a spade and a hoe?
Hoes are designed for lighter tasks such as weeding, hilling, and edging, while spades are better suited for heavier tasks such as digging, transplanting, and edging. Now that you know the key differences between hoes and spades, it’s time to choose the right one for your garden.
What is a sharpshooter spade?
The Sharpshooter, is also called a Tile Spade, or a Transplant Spade. It is only used for digging, though you can lift a little soil up and out of holes or trenches with it.
How big is a spade?
With a head typically 6-8 inches wide and 9 – 11 inches long, it’s great for double digging, spading up the ground, preparing beds and with its semi-flat blade, a good edging tool. The garden spade is available with a long straight handle, “T” handle and the “YD” handle.
What is the saying out in lavender?
The expression, mostly used in informal contexts, means to criticise someone severely; to give him/her a dressing down. *The CEO was angry with the Manager. She laid him out in lavender.
What does carry the torch mean?
phrase. If you say that someone is carrying the torch of a particular belief or movement, you mean that they are working hard to ensure that it is not forgotten and continues to grow stronger. This group aims to carry the torch for the thousands who died. [ + for/of]
Is a shovel a spade?
You may also notice that a spade tends to be straighter than a shovel from handle to blade tip. Whereas the shovel blade is usually angled forward, the spade blade is not. It’s that angle that makes the biggest difference in functionality between the two tools. The angled shovel blade makes it efficient for digging.
