What is the origin of have it in spades?
What is the origin of the idiom “in spades?” To have something “in spades” means to have it in abundance or to a large degree. 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.
What is the expression have it in spades?
In spades means an abundance, having more than an enough, a large quantity, or to a large degree. Spades is the highest ranking suit in the game of bridge, a popular card game in the 1920s. The expression in spades to mean abundance came into use in the United States during this time, along with many other idioms.
What does the expression calling a 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.
What does personality in spades mean?
informal. in large amounts or to a very great degree: My dog has personality in spades.
What do black spades mean?
Spades represents fall and winter and the power of darkness. In the Tarot black spades Symbolize intellect,action,air and death. The spade represents a leaf of the “cosmic” tree. Spades represents fall and winter and the power of darkness. In the Tarot black spades Symbolize intellect,action,air and death.
What is another word for spade?
What is another word for spade?
| grub | dig |
|---|---|
| excavate | burrow |
| tunnel | shovel |
| delve | dredge |
| root | explore |
Is it OK to say call a spade a spade?
I urge caution. Mieder concludes his case study with the argument that “to call a spade a spade” should be retired from modern usage: “Rather than taking the chance of unintentionally offending someone or of being misunderstood, it is best to relinquish the old innocuous proverbial expression all together.”
What does Black Ace of Spades mean?
Idioms. Various idioms involving the ace of spades include “black as the ace of spades,” which may refer either to completely black; totally without light or colour, colour, race, (lack of) morality, or (lack of) cleanliness in a person.
What does a spade tattoo under the eye mean?
thief
This tattoo is very popular in Russian prisons, where each deck has its own meaning. A spade represents a thief; clubs symbolize criminals in general. Diamonds are reserved for stoolpigeons and informants – if the cards have this deck, then it was likely applied with force.
What is the antonym of spade?
Opposite of to move materials with a shovel. bury. help.
Why is the ace of spades so special?
Even when no makers mark was required, tradition remained and most playing cards of today have a very ornate ace of spades. By the way, because ace of spades is the higher card in the deck, it was used as a symbol of various military units since the Second World War.
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.)
When did the expression’in spades’come into use?
We have been ‘ calling a spade a spade ‘ for many centuries, but the expression ‘in spades’ is a 20th century US coinage. The term was often used before that in relation to card games, where Bridge contracts might be entered into in the minor suits of Clubs or Diamonds or, for the higher scores,…
Why are spades called Spades in English?
A broad-bladed sword was used on Italian playing cards as the symbol of a suit, and this suit was called ‘spades’ in English. However, the symbol for spades on English playing cards was borrowed not from the Italian sword but from the French pike (‘pique’ in French).
What does’have something in spades’mean?
Definition of ‘have something in spades’. have something in spades. to have a lot of something. This Glaswegian band have got talent in spades.
Why do we call it’in spades’?
We have been ‘ calling a spade a spade ‘ for many centuries, but the expression ‘in spades’ is a 20th century US coinage. The term was often used before that in relation to card games, where Bridge contracts might be entered into in the minor suits of Clubs or Diamonds or, for the higher scores, ‘in Hearts’ or, best of all, ‘in Spades’.