picture of

the picture of (something)

The ideal example of something (which is stated after "of"). Yes, Jill was in the hospital a few months ago, but she's the picture of health now. We went running together just the other day.See also: of, picture

(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.See also: of, picture

a (or the) picture of —

the embodiment of a specified state or emotion. 1989 Woman's Realm The…little girl looks a picture of health in her blue dungarees and red boots. See also: of, picture