grease paint

American  

noun

1. an oily mixture of melted tallow or grease and a pigment, used by actors, clowns, etc., for making up their faces.

2. theatrical makeup.

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Etymology

Origin of grease paint

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

In his Halloween paso doble showcase, he wore a clerical collar and forewent grease paint or creepy contacts, relying on wide-eyed expressions and a low-slung layer of fake fog to hide his relatively clumsy footwork.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2025

They said she had makeup that was like grease paint that was melting off her face.

From New York Times • Dec. 17, 2020

Fitting for a portrayal pair of Broadway superstars, the series has grease paint running through its DNA.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2019

In grease paint or out, Tallulah is always on stage and the curtain is always up.

From Time Magazine Archive

Even on the street, he had the stiff-legged walk of the old-time actor and his face was baby pink as though he still had juvenile grease paint on it.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith