IdiomDaily LifeEnglish

paint someone a picture

Meaning: To explain something in very great detail.

Example: “Do I have to paint you a picture, or will you take the hint?”

Origin: The expression conveys the idea that the explanation is as good and as thorough as if one had painted a picture.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • Pandora's box A situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences.
  • par for the course Usual or to be expected; typical.
  • past one's prime Too old to be of much value.
  • the patience of Job Unlimited patience; the willingness to endure hardship patiently.
  • pay the piper To pay for one's mistakes; to live with the consequences of one's (wrong) actions.
  • pencil pusher An office worker; a bureaucrat who routinely does his or her paperwork job without any de…

More English idioms

  • penny pincher A person that doesn't like to spend money.
  • peter out To disappear gradually.
  • pinch pennies To be very careful with one's money; to be concerned about how one spends every penny.
  • pink slip Notice that one has been fired from one's job.
  • play hardball To work or act aggressively, competitively, or ruthlessly, as in business or politics.
  • play one's cards right To do all the right things and make all the right moves in order to achieve some end.

Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Educado Actually means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'. For educated (schooled), say instruído.
  • Balcão Actually means 'counter' — in a shop, bar or bank. A balcony is uma varanda.
  • Injúria Actually means 'insult' or 'slander'. A physical injury is uma lesão or um ferimento.

Browse all false friends →

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