Tell it like it is

poli · #1 February 10, 2011, 06:18 PM

This is a grammatically incorrect phrase that is quite commonly used in the United States, and it's perhaps more common than another term with the same meaning: call a spade a spade. I just read the equivalent in Spanish: llama pan pan y vino vino.

Is this a common usage in Spanish or are there others more frequently used?

**AngelicaDeAlquezar** · #2 February 10, 2011, 06:26 PM

"Llamar al pan pan y al vino vino" is a very common expression, and I think it's universally understood.

Some alternative may be "decir las cosas como son".

**Rusty** · #3 February 10, 2011, 06:27 PM

I just added 'tell it like it is' as another way to say '(llamar/decir) al pan, pan y al vino, vino'.
You'll see that it equates the saying to 'No tener pelos en la lengua'. Then you'll find other ways to say the same thing.

poli · #4 February 10, 2011, 06:32 PM

Thanks guys. That idiom section really outstanding.

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Tell it like it is

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings.