paint (one) black
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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
paint black
Represent someone or something as evil or harmful. This idiom is most often used in a negative context, as in He's not so black as he's been painted. [Late 1500s]
See also: black, paint
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- paint black
- speak ill of
- speak ill of (someone or something)
- speak/think ill of somebody
- poison-pen letter
- a poison pen letter
- not as black as (one) is painted
- not as black as you are painted
- your heart is in the right place
- (one's) heart is in the right place