Question

Which idea is typically associated with the word “spade”?

Answer 1

Kind of like a shoveling “spading” or just basically a tool with a sharp-edged rectangular metal blade used fro digging or cutting.

Answer 2

Literally, it could be to dig over something (from the ground), using a spade or any other tool. It could also be roughly used to mean to plow the soil in order to cultivate something.

Figuratively, following the literal analogy of unearsthing something, it could be used with the idea of uncovering (maybe a secret), to investigate deeply into something (a crime; mystery).