Idiom of the day :- (as) black as one is painted

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

In this idiom, black doesn’t refer to a color. Instead, it refers to someone’s evil or wicked qualities. And the word painted here means ‘describe’. Therefore, someone who is ( as ) black as he/she is painted is truly as sinister as he or she is portrayed. ‘I’m painting a picture of someone who is said to be a very naughty person,’ Robert said, ‘but to me he seems rather nice. Surely he can’t be as black as he is painted !’