Call A Spade A Spade

( say it is the way it should be ... )

To "call a spade a spade" is to say that something is the way you see it to be. Example: "You can call him a nice guy if you want to but I am calling a spade a spade; that guy is a jerk.

You are speaking honestly, even if it sounds bad, when you "call a spade a spade". Example: "Well, he's not my closest friend. But actually I don't have any opinion about him." Reply: "Hey, why don't you just call a spade a spade? That guy is a jerk."