'In black and white' ( Idiom )

[Barman]

Which one of the following sentences is more idiomatic in the sense of 'in writing'?

1) Put it in black and white.

2) Put it down in black and white.

 

[tedmc]

They mean the same thing.

 

[Barman]

They mean the same thing.

I mean that between 'put' and 'put down', which should I use?

 

[Rover_KE]

#1.

 

[tedmc]

#1.

What is wrong with #2?
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/putting+it+down+in+black+and+white

 

[probus]

Nobody said there was anything wrong with #2. The OP asked which to use, and Rover stated his preference for #1. "De gustibus non disputandum est" is a very ancient saying. It means "There should be no debate about tastes".

 

[emsr2d2]

"Put it in writing" is pretty much a set phrase so "put it down in writing" would sound odd to me. However, and I really can't explain why, I prefer "Put it down in black and white" over "Put it in black and white".

 

[tedmc]

"Put it in writing" is pretty much a set phrase so "put it down in writing" would sound odd to me. However, and I really can't explain why, I prefer "Put it down in black and white" over "Put it in black and white".

emsr2d2
You seem to contradict yourself. Your first sentence says you prefer #1 while your second sentence says you prefer #2.

 

[emsr2d2]

No, that's not what I said. I have used two different phrases. One uses "in writing" and the other uses "in black and white". As I said, I can't explain why but I prefer "put it" with the first but "put it down" with the second.

 

[Rover_KE]

There's no contradiction.

emdr2d2 prefers 'Put it in writing' and 'Put it down in black and white'.

Sometimes, it's just a matter of personal choice.

 

[teechar]

I think it may be because:
put it = express it
down implies writing

So,
"put it down in black and white" = write it in black and white --- works
"put it in writing" = express it in written form --- works
"put it down in writing" = write it in written form ---- involves redundancy

Having said that, I think both are used.