student asking question

What does "paint on [something]" mean? Is it a metaphor? If so, in what circumstances could I use it?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

This isn't a common phrase, actually! I think it was made for the song specifically. Generally, to "paint on [something]" means to literally paint on something. It could reference covering or hiding something with paint, too. Here, it could be a metaphor to put or paint "caution into the wind." "To throw caution to the wind" means to stop being careful and do something slightly dangerous. "Paint" just sounds a lot more poetic and gentle than "to throw." Ex: I prefer to paint on canvas rather than paper. Ex: After thinking about starting her own business, she finally threw caution to the wind and did it.

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