in black and white

18 3.5

Something written so the meaning is clear and certain

idiom

: por escrito

That was the key, I had it all the time, right in front of me in black and white.
in black and white terms

I remember writing the book and being like, if I put it in black and white and they read it, This is this is a it's a heartbreaking thought.

Examples

It is all there in black and white.

The Favourite (2018)
It's all here in black and white, hard evidence from the Office of Budget Responsibility.
What matters is what is in black and white.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
It's all down in black and white in the company books.

Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
It's in black and white.

Daredevil (2003)
lt says it clearly in black and white.

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)
Maybe by writing it here in black and white, I'll hold myself accountable.

Blog text (32)
And everything's in black and white.

My Favorite Martian (1999)
Grozier felt that once the claims were spelled out clearly in black and white, people would quickly realize how ridiculous they were.
It's all here in black and white, hard evidence from the Office of Budget Responsibility.

Synonyms

stated

vsin black and white

984 2.7

Said or written clearly, often in an official way

makes the point in writing and in final terms rather than only speaking

definite

vsin black and white

157 1.6

Clearly stated or decided and not vague

gives sense as a written final statement rather than only precise wording

explicit

vsin black and white

101 4.8

Clear and detailed so there is no confusion

appears as a written clear statement rather than as mere detailed explanation

clear-cut

vsin black and white

45 4.2

Easy to see and understand

shows lack of doubt as a written record rather than mere obviousness

specified

vsin black and white

Formal

34 4.1

Clearly and exactly said or written, for example on a form

presents content as a written and final record rather than formal wording

clear and to the point

vsin black and white

1 3.7

Easy to understand without extra details

gives the same clarity but as a written final statement rather than only brief words

Antonyms

vague

229 4.6

Not clear or detailed so you are unsure what is meant

ambiguous

67 6.3

Not clear because it can have more than one meaning

How Clear

in black and white

18 3.5

clear

∞ 1.0

vague

229 4.6

ambiguous

67 6.3

Surface Forms

in black and white positive

Morphology

in + black + and + white

The constituents literally describe colours, so a learner who knows the words might interpret a surface meaning of something being black and white in colour. The idiomatic meaning 'clearly or explicitly stated in writing' depends on the conventional association of black text on white paper and requires cultural/pragmatic knowledge beyond simple compositional semantics, although similar expressions exist in other languages. Therefore the phrase is partially transparent but not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The phrase in black and white comes from the simple image of words written in black ink on white paper, where the words are fixed and easy to read. That's why it now means something is clearly written or 'in writing'.