Table of Contents
What Does “Tar with the Same Brush” Mean?
Definition:
To tar someone with the same brush means to judge a group of people as if they were all the same, usually by attributing a negative or unfair characteristic to everyone in the group.
It implies overgeneralization and unjust judgment.
The Expression in Simple Terms
When you tar people with the same brush, you assume that all members of a group behave the same way, even when this is not true.
Origin of the Idiom “Tar with the Same Brush”
The idiom “tar with the same brush” comes from the practice of using tar to coat or mark objects, especially in the past. When the same brush was dipped in tar and used on different items, they all ended up looking the same.
Over time, this literal idea became metaphorical. The expression began to mean treating different people or things as if they were identical, often by assigning them the same negative characteristic, regardless of individual differences.
This origin explains why the idiom is closely related to the variant “paint with the same brush.”
Examples in Sentences
- We shouldn’t tar all athletes with the same brush because not all of them resort to doping.
- Just because one employee made a mistake doesn’t mean the whole team should be tarred with the same brush.
- It’s unfair to tar young people with the same brush based on a few bad examples.
Common Variations of the Idiom
This idiom is often used with slight variations:
- Don’t tar everyone with the same brush
- Don’t paint everyone with the same brush
- They were all tarred with the same brush
👉 “Paint with the same brush” is a very common alternative and has the same meaning.
“Tar with the Same Brush” vs “Paint with the Same Brush”
| Expression | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Tar with the same brush | Judge unfairly | Slightly more formal |
| Paint with the same brush | Judge unfairly | Very common in spoken English |
Both expressions are correct and interchangeable.
Synonyms and Similar Expressions
- Generalize unfairly
- Stereotype
- Label everyone the same
- Judge by association
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Tar everyone with same brush
- ✅ Tar everyone with the same brush
- ❌ Using it for positive traits
- ✔ This idiom is almost always used for negative judgments
ESL Tip
This idiom is often used in:
- Social issues
- Education
- Politics
- Workplace discussions
It’s especially useful when talking about fairness and prejudice.
This idiom is in the art category.
