What does calling spade a spade mean? 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.
Who said call a spade a spade? “To call a spade a spade” entered the English language when Nicholas Udall translated Erasmus in 1542. Famous authors who have used it in their works include Charles Dickens and W. Somerset Maugham, among others.
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 |
Where does the phrase in spades come from? The idiom wasn’t used prior to the 1920s, so it is said to be derived from the card game Bridge, which was popular during that time. Spades were the highest ranking suit in that card game, so the more spades you had, the more likely you were to win.
What does black as the ace of spades mean? Completely black; totally without light or color. (“Spades” is a black suit in a deck of cards.) Potentially offensive, due to the history of “spade” as a derogatory slang term for a black person. The basement gives me the creeps, it’s as black as the ace of spades down there!
What are the rules for spades? – Related Questions
Is it politically correct to say in spades?
A: There’s nothing racially motivated or politically incorrect about the expression “in spades” or “coming up spades.” The spade is the highest rated suit of cards in contract bridge and other card games in which the suits are ranked.
What is the opposite of calling a spade a spade?
MOST RELEVANT. tactful.
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 is a spade person?
2 offensive —used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Black person.
How do you use spades in a sentence?
How to use In-spades in a sentence. Talk about being put on the spot; my beloved set me up in spades. I am very excited by virtuosity and they have it in spades. Equating Vietnam with the war against al Qaeda takes remarkable chutzpah, but the Republicans have it in spades.
What does pay off in spades mean?
This terms refers to something with a high return on investment. Example: The project paid off in spades.
Why is the ace of spades so special?
Meaning of the ace of spades Nowadays, it is seen to be a symbol of success, power and good fortune, even a signal of good luck. The history dates back to medieval times and back then was strongly associated with a symbol of death and destruction. The ace of spades is the highest card in the deck.
What does a ace of spades tattoo mean?
The Ace symbolizes the number one and the Ace of Spades is often the highest value card in many card games. In this context, an Ace of Spades tattoo meaning could represent leadership, intuition, or the first step in a cycle. It could also stand for a new beginning, a fresh start, or a new phase of life.
Why is the ace of spades called the Death card?
What’s the Meaning of the Ace of Spades, or the Death Card? The Ace of Spades symbolizes many different fearful ideas or experiences depending on the context. In numerous cultures, its dark color (or lack thereof) associates it with imminent death, bad fortune, disaster, hatred, war, and even the end of the world.
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 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 does Parotic mean?
parotic in American English (pəˈroʊtɪk ; pərɑtˈɪk ) adjective. situated near the ear.
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.
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.
What is a spade person?
2 offensive —used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a Black person.
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 the queen of spades represent?
In cartomancy, the queen of spades is considered to be a sign of intelligence. It is representative of judgment that is practical, logical, and intellectual. It represents a woman who is creative and makes her plans ahead of time.
