Paint The Town RedPaint The Town Red : PhrasesMeaning: At the end of final exams college students have traditionally gone out to paint the town red. College students traditionally also do this at the throughout the semester. Example: The B.C. motor vehicle test is tough, but my car passed with flying colours. Origin: This phrase originated with the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers used to wash the walls of a newly-conquered town or city with the blood of the vanquished. This was usually accomplished with a great degree of gusto, hence the term being applied to a great night on the town. Alternative: In the 19th century, the section of town where brothels and saloons were located was known as the red light district. So a group of lusty cowhands out for a night on the town might well take it into their heads to make the whole town red. Alternative: Paint the town red is a reference to the money spent in the process. The party goer ends up in the red paying for the celebration. Related phrase: In the red. Alternative: A joke that the resulting blood-shot eyes resulting from partying and drinking might actually color one's field of vision red. Phrases Index
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