picture (redirected from look a picture)

*big picture

the whole story of something; a complete view of something. (*Typically: get ~; have ~; give someone ~; know ~; see ~; show someone ~.) The sales manager gave us all the big picture this morning, and I'm more confused than ever.

See also: big

*in the picture

Fig. well-informed; aware of what is going on. (*Typically: be ~; keep someone ~; put someone~.) Please, keep me fully in the picture. John found out about the plan. He's in the picture, so take care.

*pretty as a picture

very pretty. (*Also: as ~.) Sweet little Mary is as pretty as a picture. Their new house is pretty as a picture.

See also: pretty

(very) picture of something

Fig. the perfect example of something; an exact image of something. The young newlyweds were the picture of happiness. My doctor told me that I was the very picture of good health.

Do I have to spell it out (for you)? and Do I have to paint (you) a picture?; Do I need to paint you a picture?

Fig. What do I have to do to make this clear enough for you to understand? (Shows impatience.) Mary: I don't think I understand what you're trying to tell me, Fred. Fred: Do I have to spell it out for you? Mary: I guess so. Fred: We're through, Mary. Sally: Would you please go over the part about the square root again? Mary: Do I have to paint you a picture? Pay attention!

See also: have, spell

Get the message? and Get the picture?

Inf. Do you understand?; Are you able to figure out what is meant? (See also (Do you) get my drift?) Things are tough around here, and we need everyone's cooperation. Get the picture? We don't need lazy people around here. Get the message?

See also: get

out of the picture

Fig. no longer relevant to a situation; departed; dead. Now that Tom is out of the picture, we needn't concern ourselves about his objections. With her husband out of the picture, she can begin living as she pleases.

See also: out

picture someone as someone or something

to imagine someone as someone or a type of person; to form a mental picture of someone as someone or a type of person. Just picture me as Santa Claus! I can't picture you as a doctor.

picture someone in something 

1. to form a mental picture of someone wearing something. I can just picture Tony in that baseball uniform. Can you picture yourself in a dress like this?

2. to form a mental picture of someone inside something or some place. I can just picture you in that car! Can you picture yourself in jail?

picture is worth a thousand words

Prov. Pictures convey information more efficiently and effectively than words do. It's much easier to learn how machines work by looking at pictures, rather than by hearing someone describe them. A picture is worth a thousand words. The newspaper editor decided to devote more space to photographs of the disaster than to text, since a picture is worth a thousand words.

See also: thousand, word, worth

picture of (good) health

in a very healthy condition. The doctor says I am the picture of good health. Each of the children is the picture of health.

See also: health

picture perfect

Fig. looking exactly correct or right. (Hyphenated as a modifier.) At last, everything was picture perfect. Nothing less than a picture-perfect party table will do.

See also: perfect

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somebody's face is a picture

if someone's face is a picture, their face shows that they are very surprised or angry Her face was a picture when I told her the news.

See also: face

be out of the picture

to not be involved in a particular situation Withers is out of the picture with a leg injury, so Jackson is in goal today.

See also: out

be the picture of [health/innocence etc.]

to look very healthy, innocent etc. I can't believe there's anything seriously wrong with him - he's the picture of health.

get the picture  (informal)

to understand a situation 'He doesn't want her but he doesn't want anyone else to have her, you know?' 'I get the picture.'

See also: get

paint a [bleak/rosy etc.] picture of something

to describe a situation in a particular way The article paints a bleak (= hopeless) picture of the future. He painted a rosy (= happy) picture of family life.

See also: paint

picture-perfect  (American)

perfect in appearance or quality He built a dream house in a picture-perfect neighborhood. Cloudless sky, brilliant sunshine - the weather was picture-perfect.

put somebody in the picture

to explain to someone what is happening Jim had no idea what was going on until I put him in the picture.

See paint a [bleak etc.] picture of

See also: put

the big picture

the most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things In my political work I try to concentrate on the big picture and not be distracted by details.

See also: big

the whole picture

the most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things You're just taking into account Melissa's views of the situation but of course that's not the whole picture.

See a whole new ball game, the whole bit, the whole caboodle, the whole enchilada, go the whole nine yards, the whole nine yards, the whole shebang, the whole shooting match, the works, whole world came crashing down around

See also: whole

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get the picture

to understand a situation The team won two, then lost three, then won two, then lost two, then won three - you get the picture?

See also: get

in the picture

to be involved in a situation Strong thunderstorms and heavy rain are in the picture for the Southeast on Monday.

Related vocabulary: in the loop

out of the picture

to not be involved in a situation With the national government out of the picture, local leaders will have to work out a solution.

Related vocabulary: out of the loop

See also: out

paint a picture (of something)

to describe a situation in a particular way The report paints a picture of a neighborhood in decline.

Usage notes: often used with an adjective that describes the type of situation: Doctors have begun to paint a grim picture of his condition. I don't want to paint too rosy a picture.

See also: paint

the big picture also the whole picture

the most important facts about a situation and the effects that it has on other things Melissa's opinions don't take the big picture into account.

Usage notes: often used after look at: When you look at the big picture, a slight increase in unemployment is not significant.

See also: big

the picture of something

a very good representation of a condition or an attitude Except for a little arthritis, my mother is the picture of health. He seemed the picture of confidence.