painted

not as black as (one) is painted

Not as evil, malicious, or malignant as one is described or believed to be. Everyone is afraid of the old hermit who lives on the edge of town, but after having a few conversations with him, he's not nearly as black as he's painted. The biker gang plays up its tough demeanor and hellish reputation, but they're really just a bunch of regular guys and not as black as they're painted.See also: black, not, painted

paint (something) with a broad brush

To describe or characterize something in very general, vague, or broad terms, ignoring or neglecting to include specific details. When asked about how she would stabilize the economy, the candidate painted her plan with a broad brush, resorting to vague claims about creating jobs and getting people back to work.See also: broad, brush, paint

paint the lily

To add embellishment to something that is already beautiful or outstanding. The phrase comes from Shakespeare's King John: "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily ... is wasteful and ridiculous excess." My wife is so gorgeous that putting her in a fancy gown would just be painting the lily. Why add a filter to your photo of the rainbow? No need to paint the lily.See also: lily, paint

painted cat

A prostitute. This phrase likely combines another term for a prostitute, "painted woman," with "cathouse"—a term for brothel. A: "You know, I heard that Mary is a painted cat. It would explain where all her money comes from." B: "Mary is not a prostitute!"See also: cat, painted

be (not) as black as (someone or something) is painted

To be as bad or unpleasant as someone or something is rumored to be. This phrase is often used in the negative to convey the opposite. That class is as black as it is painted—I've never had so much homework in my life! Mr. Stewart may yell a lot, but he's not as black as he is painted—he's actually helped me carry my groceries many times.See also: black, painted

(as) black as (one) is painted

As evil, malicious, or malignant as one is described or believed to be. I wasn't sure why everyone is afraid of the old hermit who lives on the edge of town, but after having a few conversations with him, I found that he is as black as he's painted! The biker gang plays up its tough demeanor and hellish reputation, but they're really just a bunch of regular guys and not as black as they're painted.See also: black, painted

the devil is not so black as he is painted

One is not as evil, malicious, or malignant as one is described or believed to be. The biker gang plays up its tough demeanor and hellish reputation, but they're really just a bunch of regular guys. The devil is not as black as he is painted.See also: black, devil, he, not, painted

paint the town (red)

To go out into a city or town and have an enjoyable time, typically by visiting various establishments, such as bars, restaurants, clubs, etc. After our exams finished, we all decided to get dressed up and paint the town red. A: "I was thinking I might go to a museum or the library." B: "Wow, you're really going to paint the town red, huh?"See also: paint, town

painted with the same brush

Unfairly judged or categorized as being the same as another person or thing, usually in a negative manner. Just because the CEO turned out to be a rotten scoundrel doesn't mean the entire company should be painted the with the same brush. There is absolutely a segment of video game enthusiasts who create a hostile and toxic environment online, but I hate the fact that all gamers are painted with the same brush.See also: brush, painted, same

paint (one) black

To make someone appear evil, malicious, or ill intentioned. He argued that the film was edited to paint him black, taking his statements out of context and mixing them with ominous music. Though he's been painted quite black by the media, in person he's actually a very pleasant guy.See also: black, paint

paint the black

In baseball, to pitch the ball in such a way that it travels over the edge of the home plate and results in a strike. Their pitcher was amazing, painting the black from the beginning of the game right through to the very end.See also: black, paint

paint in

To color or fill in some blank space with paint. A noun or pronoun can be used between "paint" and "in." I brought in a bunch of black-and-white pictures of cartoon characters for the kids to paint in. There's a big streak where the table scraped against the wall. I'll need to paint it in this weekend.See also: paint

paint on

1. To apply paint onto some surface. I brought in a bunch of pieces of cardboard and scrap paper for the kids to paint on. It's really hard to paint on textured, bumpy walls like this one.2. To use paint to create a particular, picture, pattern, or design on something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "paint" and "on." Can you paint a big dinosaur on Timmy's wall? He loves dinosaurs. I'm going to paint a cool fire design on the side of my car.See also: on, paint

paint (something) onto (something)

To use paint to create a particular, picture, pattern, or design on something or some surface. Can you paint a big dinosaur onto Timmy's wall? He loves dinosaurs. I'm going to paint a cool fire design onto the side of my car.See also: paint

paint out

To cover something up with paint so as to hide or obscure it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "paint" and "out." Staff were quick to paint out the obscene graffiti on the side of the gymnasium. Someone came by and painted certain words out that were featured on the mural on Main Street.See also: out, paint

paint over

To cover something up with paint so as to hide or obscure it. A noun or pronoun can be used between "paint" and "out." Staff were quick to paint over the obscene graffiti on the side of the gymnasium. Someone came by and painted certain words over that were featured on the mural on Main Street.See also: over, paint

paint the devil on the wall

To have or offer a negative view of a situation, often when it is excessive or unwarranted. Don't listen to Ed, he's just painting the devil on the wall. Things really aren't as bad as he says.See also: devil, on, paint, wall

*black as one is painted

as evil as described. (Usually negative. *Also: as ~.) The landlord is not as black as he is painted. He seems quite generous to me. Young people are rarely black as they are painted in the media.See also: black, one, painted

devil is not so black as he is painted

Prov. No one is as bad as people say he is. (Implies that people are saying too many bad things about someone.) I can't believe that actress is as coldhearted as the gossip columns say she is. The devil is not so black as he is painted.See also: black, devil, he, not, painted

paint on something

to apply paint to the surface of something. He painted on the fence a while and then went inside to rest. Please don't paint on the area that is not sanded down.See also: on, paint

paint over something

to cover something up with a layer of paint. Sam painted over the rusty part of the fence. The work crew was told to paint over the graffiti.See also: over, paint

paint something in

to paint something extra onto a painted area. I know that there is supposed to be a big white spot here. We will have to paint it in. We will have to paint in the spot.See also: paint

paint something out

to cover something up or obliterate something by applying a layer of paint. The worker painted the graffiti out. They had to paint out the graffiti.See also: out, paint

not as black as you are painted

INFORMALIf someone is not as black as they are painted, they are not as bad as people generally consider them to be. I'm really not as black as I'm painted,' he said pointedly.See also: black, not, painted

not as black as you are painted

not as bad as you are said to be. informal The proverb the devil is not as black as he is painted , first recorded in English in the mid 16th century, was used as a warning not to base your fears of something on exaggerated reports.See also: black, not, painted

he, it, etc. is not as black as he, it, etc. is ˈpainted

he, it, etc. is not as bad as people say: The boss is not as black as she’s painted; in fact, I find her quite helpful and friendly.See also: black, not, painted

paint the black

Baseball To throw a pitched ball over the edge of home plate for a strike.See also: black, paint

painted

paint·ed

painted

painted

not as black as (one) is painted

paint (something) with a broad brush

paint the lily

painted cat

be (not) as black as (someone or something) is painted

(as) black as (one) is painted

the devil is not so black as he is painted

paint the town (red)

painted with the same brush

paint (one) black

paint the black

paint in

paint on

paint (something) onto (something)

paint out

paint over

paint the devil on the wall

*black as one is painted

devil is not so black as he is painted

paint on something

paint over something

paint something in

paint something out

not as black as you are painted

not as black as you are painted

he, it, etc. is not as black as he, it, etc. is ˈpainted

paint the black

painted

Synonyms for painted

adj coated with paint

Related Words

Antonyms

adj lacking substance or vitality as if produced by painting

Related Words

adj having makeup applied

Antonyms

adj having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly

Synonyms

Related Words