not as black as he is painted

Meaning

1. not as black as he / she / it is painted

   not as bad as people say he / she / it is

   He's not very friendly, but he's not as black as he's painted.

From the same entry

• black and blue
• the pot calling the kettle black
• be in the black
• black and white
• in black and white
• black and white
• black out
• black out