Warts and all

adj, adv, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of or pertaining to a description or other depiction which reveals the full range of characteristics of a person or thing, including the shortcomings and imperfections. idiomatic, informal, not-comparable

    "Biographer Jones, for all his hero worship, belongs to the warts-and-all school, and notes some strange quirks in Freud's character."

Adverb
  1. 1
    In a manner which does not conceal shortcomings or imperfections. idiomatic, informal, not-comparable

    "The new crop of reality shows brings us that much closer to the contestants, warts and all."

Etymology

Etymology 1

In 1653, an artist, Samuel Cooper, was asked to paint Oliver Cromwell’s portrait. Cromwell preferred the portrait to be shown with “pimples, warts and everything” (i.e., to include any defects and imperfections). Over time, this phrase has come to be shortened to “warts and all”.

Etymology 2

In 1653, an artist, Samuel Cooper, was asked to paint Oliver Cromwell’s portrait. Cromwell preferred the portrait to be shown with “pimples, warts and everything” (i.e., to include any defects and imperfections). Over time, this phrase has come to be shortened to “warts and all”.

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