ENGLISH
REFERENCE

paint with a broad brush

idiom
Meaning

To describe a class of objects or a kind of phenomenon in general terms, without specific details and without attention to individual variations.


Examples
SIMPLE

Do not paint with a broad brush when you talk about other people.

CONTEXTUAL

It is unfair to paint with a broad brush and say that all teenagers are lazy.

COMPLEX

The critic was accused of painting with a broad brush, ignoring the subtle nuances that made each individual performance in the play unique.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    broad and shallow

    Associated with the Broad Church; latitudinarian.

  2. 02

    broad brush

    A style or approach that deals with something in very general, sweeping terms, without attention to fine details or subtle nuances.

  3. 03

    broad in the beam

    Wide across the hips, with large buttocks.

  4. 04

    broad shoulders

    the ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.

  5. 05

    broad strokes

    Major features or key points; outline.

  6. 06

    brush aside

    To disregard, dismiss or ignore something, as unimportant.

  7. 07

    brush by

    To walk past another person, touching them slightly, normally by accident, and ignoring them.

  8. 08

    brush down

    To straighten up one's clothes and to tidy up one's appearance.

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