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