It is time to call a spade a spade and demand compliance with this law.

CNN: Syria must be held to the law of war

But, it seems that, in fifty years, nobody has appeared to call a spade a spade.

FORBES: Mind-Bending Idiocy Is The Reason We Don't Have A Gold Standard Today

Better to call "a spade a spade", as we used to say before political correctness or public sensitivity took hold.

BBC: Thursday 24 April

But let's call a spade a spade: These are advertisements aimed at building brand recognition among public radio's affluent, educated audience.

FORBES: Public Radio Goes Begging

There are no veils, curtains or walls in a changing room because every team has a player who will call a spade a spade.

CNN: SHARE THIS

But I will always call a spade a spade.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Even if the Working Group were just a shell, why not call a spade a spade, as opposed to insulting an industry that the newspaper itself depends upon to bring it a percentage of its news and some of its revenues?

FORBES: Shame on The New York Times