paint down
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To apply blackface to (an actor).
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
White actors in blackface were so common that even Shirley Temple was painted down in The Littlest Rebel (1935).
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To coat with a substance through painting.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “paint down” mean?
To apply blackface to (an actor).
Is “paint down” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.