to get the picture
43
3.2
- phrasal verb
- Informal
- I could go on, but I know all of you get the picture.
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Watch on YouTubeSo I think that people just get the picture very quickly.
- So I think that people just get the picture very quickly.
- And Longmar, Narnia, Gore, Camaria, Crin, Amber, you get the picture.
- And anybody like Brandon, Ralph, Steven, when you do the multiverse, when you do Flash, that woman Legends, Arrow, you get the picture.
- I think in Decimus Brutus we get the picture of most of the people who fought against Cesar, most of the conspirators.
- And you get the picture that it is that preparation and that constant respect for people who are managing all the details of that crisis.
Examples
-
Do you get the picture?
-
I could go on and on, but you get the picture.
Academic text (1999) -
So I think that people just get the picture very quickly.
-
I think we get the picture.
-
Did you get the picture?
-
I think even the most ignorant will get the picture by then.
Blog text (3) -
Free fishing piers, lots of trees, you're starting to get the picture now.
Blog text (9) -
Stace wondered why Ballard was so slow to get the picture.
Fiction book (1990) -
I think in Decimus Brutus we get the picture of most of the people who fought against Cesar, most of the conspirators.
-
I think you finally get the picture about the new project requirements.
Synonyms
∞
1.4
To understand what someone says or an idea
∞
1.1
To understand something after someone explains it
∞
1.0
To feel sorry and see why someone acts or feels that way
180
8.6
To understand or enjoy something
141
4.1
To understand something difficult clearly
140
2.7
To understand the meaning of something
73
2.7
To understand the main idea of what someone says or does
10
3.9
To understand a situation well without being confused
4
4.5
To understand the main idea without knowing every detail
4
4.3
To understand the meaning of something
3
9.9
To understand something deeply and naturally
2
7.2
To understand something in a casual way
1
4.9
To understand and accept that someone's remark makes sense even if you do not agree
Antonyms
How Clear
- Informal
1
7.8
141
4.1
- Informal
43
3.2
∞
1.0
164
1.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to understand' is directly derivable from 'get' (to comprehend) combined with 'picture' used metaphorically as 'overall situation' — the parts compose transparently into the intended sense. This metaphorical but predictable mapping is common cross-linguistically and follows standard composition patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Get the picture comes from the simple idea of someone holding up a photo or drawing to explain a situation. When you get the picture you take that image into your mind and 'understand' what is meant, so the phrase means 'to understand'.