be written in black and white—be put down in writing (as a proof of smth.):
- The fact that I am gay is written down in black and white. I came out at teaching college and the fact was put down in my personal file.
see something in black and white—see complex issues in simple terms of right and wrong:
- That is not, any more, an accurate portrait of the society. People do not see these things purely in black and white.