lend color to (something)
(redirected from lended color)lend color to (something)
To embellish or add information or details to an account of something, especially to make it seem more credible or probable. He splashed mud all over his car and clothes to lend color to his story about being in the mountains all weekend. We cannot do anything that will lend color to our opponents' allegations about us.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
lend color to something
Fig. to provide an interesting accompaniment for something. Your clever comments lent a great deal of color to the slide show of your vacation. The excellent master of ceremonies will lend color to an otherwise dry panel discussion.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
lend color to
Embellish, especially to give the appearance of truth. For example, I'm sure he lied about reaching the summit; that detailed account about losing his pack merely lent color to the story . This expression uses color in the sense of "appearance of authenticity." [Late 1700s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
lend (or give) colour to
make something seem true or probable. 1991 J. Rusbridger The Intelligence Game Nothing should be done that would lend colour to any suggestion that it [the Security Service] is concerned with the interests of any particular section of the community.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
lend ˈcolour to something
(British English) (American English lend ˈcolor to something) make something seem probable: The tracks outside the house lend colour to her claim that somebody tried to break in last night.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017