paint with the same brush

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paint with the same brush" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is generalizing or categorizing a group of people or things in the same way, often unfairly. Example: "It's not fair to paint all politicians with the same brush; there are many who genuinely want to make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We kind of get painted with the same brush".

The New York Times

We're all very different and yet we're being painted with the same brush.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The entire sector shouldn't be painted with the same brush," said Mark Langley, an analyst with Epoch Partners.

The New York Times

Pointing to the deadly conflict in Mali, they fretted that all of Africa tends to be painted with the same brush.

The New York Times

"We all get painted with the same brush," said Senator Elizabeth Little, a Republican who represents the Plattsburgh area and has called for Mr. Monserrate's removal.

The New York Times

"When the entire industry gets unfairly painted with the same brush, people working hard at middle-class jobs get hurt," he wrote in an e-mail.

The New York Times

The AI story is often painted with the same brush, particularly as it increasingly able to take over cognitive and decision-making tasks.

The Guardian

"One only hopes that with the kind of scrutiny and the kind of focus this brings, everybody doesn't end up being painted with the same brush," said Lakshminarayana, the chief strategy officer for Wipro Technologies, which competes with Satyam.

The New York Times

It seems possible, however, that he prefers the role of martyr: "This scandal is putting us, the clergy and the church, where we belong — with the excluded ones; Jesus was painted with the same brush as the two thieves crucified with him".

The New York Times

These latter goals — freeing humanity from "centralized" institutions, which all are seemingly painted with the same brush of tyranny — are presumed to be universal goals, when they really are primarily North American.

TechCrunch

He added: "The main concern is the anti-social behaviour and drunkenness and it's a great pity the whole of the migrant community gets painted with the same brush".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this idiom to caution against unfair generalizations. Remember that individuals within any group are diverse, and judging them collectively can lead to inaccurate and unjust conclusions.

Common error

While effective, overuse of the idiom can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "generalize" or "stereotype" for a more nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "paint with the same brush" functions as a rhetorical device to criticize broad generalizations. It implies that diverse individuals or entities are being unfairly judged as a homogeneous group, ignoring their unique characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiom "paint with the same brush" serves to critique broad generalizations and stereotyping. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although its usage frequency is currently rare due to a lack of examples in the dataset. To avoid overusing the idiom, consider using alternatives like "generalize" or "stereotype". The phrase's communicative purpose is to encourage nuanced assessments and challenge oversimplified perceptions, maintaining a neutral register across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tar with the same brush

Replaces "paint" with "tar", keeping the core meaning of associating someone with negative attributes.

apply a broad brush

Emphasizes the use of a wide and imprecise approach.

generalize

A more direct synonym focusing on the act of making a broad statement.

stereotype

Implies applying a fixed and often oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

judge as a whole

Focuses on evaluating a group collectively rather than individually.

lump together

Focuses on grouping individuals or items without considering their differences.

group together indiscriminately

Highlights a lack of care or thought in the act of grouping.

treat all the same

Highlights the act of not differentiating between members of a group.

make no distinction

Stresses the absence of differentiation within a group.

equate

Suggests the act of considering things as equal or identical.

FAQs

How can I use "paint with the same brush" in a sentence?

You can use "paint with the same brush" to express disapproval of generalizing or stereotyping a group of people or things. For instance, "It's unfair to paint all members of that political party with the same brush." You might consider alternatives like "generalize", "stereotype", or "lump together".

What does "paint with the same brush" mean?

"Paint with the same brush" means to unfairly assume that all members of a group share the same qualities or characteristics. It implies a lack of individual consideration.

What are some synonyms for "paint with the same brush"?

Alternatives to "paint with the same brush" include "tar with the same brush", "generalize", "stereotype", and "apply a broad brush".

Is it always negative to "paint with the same brush"?

Yes, the phrase "paint with the same brush" generally carries a negative connotation. It suggests that someone is making unfair or inaccurate judgments by failing to recognize individual differences.