put (someone) in the picture

To keep someone informed, aware, or up to date (about something); to involve someone in something. Just make sure you put the boss in the picture about the status of the project. I want to be put in the picture when the jewels are sold. Don't cut me out of the profit!

put someone in the picture

BRITISH

COMMON If you put someone in the picture, you tell them about a situation which they need to know about. I believe that I could now produce evidence to prove my case, if you are prepared to listen. I brought you here for that reason, to put you in the picture. Has Inspector Fayard put you in the picture? Note: If you keep someone in the picture, you keep them aware of what is happening in a situation. If he promised to keep her in the picture, maybe she could tell him where she'd got her information? Compare with in the picture.

put someone in the picture, to

To inform someone; to include someone as an active participant. To be in the picture has meant to be involved in a particular situation since about 1900. “I feel that I am in the picture, when I wear black during Lent,” wrote Clara Morris (Stage Confidences, 1902).