(as) black as (one) is 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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- black as one is painted
- painted
- not as black as (one) is painted
- not as black as you are painted
- devil is not so black as he is painted
- the devil is not so black as he is painted
- evil twin
- spooked
- paint (one) black
- paint black