In black and white means in writing, on paper, so that nobody can argue about it later. People mostly say it about agreements: get it in black and white means to get written confirmation. About photos and films, the phrase simply means not in colour.
When would you say in black and white?
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get/put something in black and white; it's (there) in black and white; see things in black and white
- The landlord promised to fix the heating, but I want it in black and white.
- The rules are there in black and white, so nobody can say they didn't know.
- My grandparents' wedding photos are all in black and white.
What changed
First versionThe price is written black on white in the contract.
RevisionThe price is written in black and white in the contract.
Black on white can seem logical, like black ink on white paper. But the English phrase is built differently: the preposition in and the word and, as if it were about two colours at once. Nothing else in the sentence changed.
See things in black and white means to see the world without shades of grey, dividing everything into good and bad: My uncle sees everything in black and white. It's a criticism of someone's rigid thinking and has nothing to do with documents.
Your turn
Don't just tell me on the phone — send me the offer by email so I have it ___.
Show the answer
in black and white — The speaker wants written confirmation instead of a phone call, so in black and white. In plain English means “in simple words”, and how simple the language is doesn't depend on whether the offer came by email or by phone.
Describe an agreement that's better to have in writing. Say who you're agreeing with and what about.
My boss agreed to let me work from home on Fridays, but I asked him to put it in black and white.
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