THE PICTURE

{n.} The way things are or were; the facts about something; the situation; what happened or happens. * /Where does Susan come into the picture./ * /When you are looking for a job your education enters into the picture./ * /Old Mr. Brown is out of the picture now and his son runs the store./ * /After the fight on the playground, the principal talked to the boys who were watching, until he got the whole picture./ Compare: GET THE MESSAGE.