spadespade /speɪd/ ●●○ noun [countable] 
a tool for digging that has a long handle and a broad metal blade that you push into the ground2 (also spades [plural]) a playing card belonging to the set of cards that have one or more black shapes that look like pointed leaves printed on them: 
the queen of spades3call a spade a spade to speak about things in a direct and honest way, even though it may be impolite to do this4in spades to a great degree, or in large amounts: Beauty, intelligence, wealth – my mother had all of them in spades.5[countable] taboo old-fashioned a very offensive word for a black person. Do not use this word.
WORD ORIGINspade
Origin:
1,3 Old English spadu2, 4-5 1500-1600 Italian spada or Spanish espada ‘broad sword’ (used as a mark on cards), from Latin spatha; ➔ SPATULAEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- A spade lay half-buried in mud.
- And it's no use calling a spade an effing shovel, when saying spade would have been far more effective.
- Beyond the stables the monotonous sound of Varro's spade went on and on.
- I thought the going would be easy after penetrating the surface layers of soil and roots with spade and ax.
- The three spades needed when ferreting: the Norfolk long spade, the graft, and the filling-in spade.
- The woman stuck her spade in the ground.
Longman Language Activatorto speak honestly
to be honest in what you say: · He wouldn't believe that I was telling the truth.· When you testify in court, you have to swear to tell the truth.tell somebody the truth: · Tell me the truth - does this dress make me look fat?
spoken say this before giving your honest opinion, especially when your opinion may sound unkind or surprising: · To be honest, I don't really like babies.· I wish I'd never met him, to be quite honest.· To be honest with you, I never expected him to get the job.· In all honesty, I've got no idea where she's living now.
spoken you say to be frank or frankly before giving your honest opinion, especially when your opinion may sound unkind or shocking : · To be frank, George isn't very good at the job.· Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.· Well, frankly, I think this proves that there are a lot of people making laws in this country who don't really know what they're doing.
to be honest with someone, especially when they have asked you to give them the correct story, reason etc: · I promise I won't get angry. Just level with me and tell me what happened.· I'm going to level with you - some of the other managers don't think you're ready for a promotion.
to be honest and give someone all the facts about a situation, even if they are unpleasant: · I told her straight that she was wrong. · The people who report to me have to be willing to tell it like it is.
to say exactly what you think even if it offends people: · She believes in speaking her mind, which makes her very unpopular.· Larry isn't afraid to speak his mind, even in front of the boss.
to say what you think in a way that you know might offend other people: · Helmut didn't mince any words in his criticism of the department.
to say exactly what you think about someone or something, especially in a situation where other people would be more polite: · Why not call a spade a spade and say that she's incompetent, if that's what you're thinking.
to speak honestly about someone or something, especially when you are criticizing them, without thinking about their feelings: · Rollins pulled no punches in his memoir, especially when writing about the political system.
WORD SETSace, nounbaccarat, nounbid, nounblackjack, nounbridge, nouncanasta, nouncard, nouncard table, nouncontract bridge, nouncourt card, nouncrib, nouncribbage, nouncut, verbdeal, noundeal, verbdealer, noundeck, noundiscard, verbdiscard, noundummy, nounface card, nounflush, nounfull house, noungin rummy, noungrand slam, nounhand, nounjack, nounjoker, nounking, nounkitty, nounknave, nounlead, verboverbid, verbpack, nounpatience, nounpicture card, nounplaying card, nounpoker, nounpontoon, nounqueen, nounraise, verbrubber, nounrummy, nounrun, nounshuffle, verbshuffle, nounsnap, nounsnap, interjectionsolitaire, nounspade, nounstrip poker, nounsuit, nountrick, nountrump, nountrump, verbtwenty-one, nounwhist, nounwild, adjectivewild card, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Beauty, intelligence, wealth – my mother had all of them in spades.
Beauty, intelligence, wealth – my mother had all of them in spades.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1- Why not call a spade a spade and say that she's incompetent, if that what you're thinking.
- Beauty, love-of-life, wealth - my mother had it all, in spades.
a tool for digging that has a long handle and a broad metal blade that you push into the ground2 (also spades [plural]) a playing card belonging to the set of cards that have one or more black shapes that look like pointed leaves printed on them: the queen of spades3call a spade a spade to speak about things in a direct and honest way, even though it may be impolite to do this4in spades to a great degree, or in large amounts: Beauty, intelligence, wealth – my mother had all of them in spades.5[countable] taboo old-fashioned a very offensive word for a black person. Do not use this word.