English · Work & Business
the bigger picture
/ðə ˈbɪɡ.ə ˈpɪk.tʃə/
[/ðə ˈbɪɡ.ə ˈpɪk.tʃə/]
overall situation
Intermediatephrase
Definition
The most important facts about a situation and its long-term effects, rather than small details.
Example
Try not to get bogged down in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture here.
Try not to get bogged down in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture here.
Etymology
A 20th-century metaphor comparing understanding to viewing a whole picture rather than one part.
How & Where It’s Used
Common in business and decision-making for emphasising overall perspective.