in black and white

*in black and white

Fig. [of an agreement, contract, or statement] official, in writing or printing. (*Typically: be ~; get something ~.) I have it in black and white that I'm entitled to three weeks of vacation each year.

See also: and, black, white

in black and white

1. in written or printed form Your offer sounds good, but I want you to put it in black and white.

2. as involving clear choices She tends to view the political world in black and white, with good guys and bad guys.

Etymology: based on the idea of black printing or writing on white paper

See also: and, black, white

in black and white

written down I wouldn't have believed him capable of fraud, but there it was, in black and white.

See also: and, black, white