paint a (some kind of) picture of (something)

paint a (some kind of) picture of (something)

To give an elaborate or detailed description of something that portrays it in a specific way. The board meeting painted a pretty grim picture of the company's future. Jonathan always paints an idyllic picture of our childhood, glossing over the bad memories of our father.

See also: kind, of, paint, picture

paint a terrible, depressing, rosy, etc. ˈpicture (of somebody/something)

describe something in a particular way; give a particular impression of somebody/something, often a negative one: You paint a depressing picture of your childhood! ♢ People who don’t like students paint the worst possible picture of their behaviour. ♢ The book paints a vivid picture of life in the city.

See also: paint, picture