paint out

paint out (third-person singular simple present paints out, present participle painting out, simple past and past participle painted out)

1. (transitive) To obliterate by painting over.
   • 1938, Charles Poore, Goya:

     Joseph's face was painted out. In place of Joseph's monarchic face the word Constitution was painted in. But the reign of Joseph was not over.

   • 2003, Lori J Davis, Paint Shop Pro 8 Power!:

     The Clone Brush can be used to paint out the imperfection or the obstructing object.

2. (transitive, figuratively) To describe, possibly so as to misrepresent.
   • 1827, Henry Lee, Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department of the United States:

     The smattering of experience gained during Braddock's expedition, painted him out to the leading men of Frederick, as qualified to command the first company...

   • 1847, Charles Sparry, The Illustrated Christian Martyrology:

     If the congregation will attend to-morrow, I will give them a description of anti-Christ, and paint him out in his proper colors.

   • 2005, Phillip Thomas Duck, Playing with Destiny:

     Didn't want the media getting a hold of it and painting me out as a street thug.

paint out (plural paint outs)

1. An event where artists congregate in an outdoor scenic area for the purpose of completing realistic paintings from life.

• outpaint, putation