Learn English with English, baby!

Join for FREE!

Social_nav_masthead_logged_in
 
big picture

big picture

Date: Apr 30 2009

Quote

1. Quote - Listen to the quote and guess what the slang means.

“I just try not to look too far in the future. It gets terrifying if you look at the big picture.”

-Reese Witherspoon, talking about her lovelife. (Us Weekly)

Definition

1. Definition - Study the definition.

all factors and consequences, the long range future

2. Use - Learn how the slang is used.

What kind of a picture could terrify Reese Witherspoon? She doesn’t seem like the kind of person who’d get scared easily. That big picture must really be huge and scary.

Actually, when people talk about the big picture, they don’t mean a large photograph or painting. They’re referring to a complete situation. Often, thinking about the big picture means considering the future, not just the present.

So Reese isn’t talking about a real photograph. In fact, she’s talking about the situation of being in love. Many people wonder if she and her boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal are going to get married. But Reese would rather focus on the present and just enjoy being in love than worry about the future or think about the big picture.

Sometimes, though, it’s important to consider the big picture. Going to the dentist is no fun. But if you think about the big picture, you’ll realize that if you don’t get your teeth cleaned now, you’ll just end up with more serious problems later. It’s the same with eating healthy foods. Of course you’d rather eat cake than carrots! But you don’t want the big picture to turn into a picture of big you. So maybe the carrots are the better choice.

Examples

1. Examples - Hear some example sentences.

“Sure you don’t feel well today, but if you look at the big picture, you’re very healthy nowadays.”

“Even though college is expensive, when you consider the big picture, it’s a good idea to go. “

Winners

1. Winners - See who guessed the slang definition correctly.

VOLTS it shows a complete view of something.
by VOLTSSuper Member!
the plan of the future
by janestudyenglish
talking about future
by soldierkhan
ciberd7 consequences, what my future will turn out or what comes forth
by ciberd7
fate.gh the big picture refer to the situation as a whole.
by fate.gh
Gellerke future, things, that will happen later,in the future
by Gellerke
cheya thinking and expecting a lot about the future forward
by cheya
very far in the time
by monacovalentina
swimfun the complete perspective on a situation or an issue!! it must be used with 'the' to exactly mean that!! E.g: it always makes me get worried to look at the big picture after finishing my exams!!
by swimfun
Tarfah the whole picture or Long-term view of the future maybe :$
by Tarfah
amany7 it is like "in the long run" the very far future :D
by amany7
pary chehr think about any side of a topic
by pary chehr
it means think too much about the future.
by CatherineVanilla
sofree This means a complete understanding of something.
by sofree

Want to guess next week's slang?

The iTEP® test

  • Schedule an iTEP® test and take the official English Practice Test.

    Take Now >

Comments

Log in to Comment

loveyonda

South Africa

how r u

04:48 PM May 16 2009 |

loveyonda

South Africa

how r u

04:48 PM May 16 2009 |

mulualem

Jamaica

hi my name is mulualem 

11:58 PM May 13 2009 |

alcide

Italy

this girl is a diamond

01:00 PM May 13 2009 |

Asakura413

French Guiana

What are you doing Kryo—" ?

02:03 PM May 07 2009 |

Kryo

Kryo

French Guiana

..

 

01:55 PM May 07 2009 |

Kryo

Kryo

French Guiana

..

 

01:55 PM May 07 2009 |

Kryo

Kryo

French Guiana

..

 

01:55 PM May 07 2009 |

Kryo

Kryo

French Guiana

..

 

01:55 PM May 07 2009 |

Kryo

Kryo

French Guiana

..

 

01:55 PM May 07 2009 |

zhixincong

China

see  big picture and action organised .

04:29 PM May 06 2009 |

enthusiasticBoy

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i think so …........... alt=” />

 

09:29 AM May 06 2009 |

sofree

sofree

China

Sometimes the big picture you think might never happen or inaccurate, so just do it.

08:15 AM May 06 2009 |

artistbehaz

Algeria

i  need  just  get replay around  the  use of english business  words

11:01 PM May 05 2009 |

sabry mohamed elfayomy

Egypt

considering what is not in hand and causing confusion

10:09 PM May 05 2009 |

Fabz!!!

Fabz!!!

Mexico

 

Tight!!! Worked for today's class!!! thanx!!!Cool

02:12 PM May 05 2009 |

Rrushi

Rrushi

Albania

Laughing greatLaughing

04:21 PM May 04 2009 |

msdira

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

Smile

01:28 PM May 04 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

The better form to reach the good future is to build a great present ;)

09:54 AM May 04 2009 |

Marcelolic

Marcelolic

Brazil

Live your present very well to your future to be very good ;)
Big picture!

09:49 AM May 04 2009 |

Likes (32):

See all >

Share this lesson:

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Bebo
  • Share on Myspace
  • Share on Twitter
  • Email this to a friend
  • Share on Sina

Post Ebaby! lessons on your blog:

Ebaby! Cast