in the scheme of things
in the (grand) scheme of things
In the long term; in the complete picture of something. I know you're worried about getting a bad grade on this test, but you're such a great student that I doubt it will matter in the grand scheme of things.
See also: of, scheme, thing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
in the scheme of things
COMMON People use in the scheme of things to describe how important one thing is when compared to everything else in a situation or how one thing relates to the other things in a situation. These aches and pains are annoying, but not very serious in the scheme of things. To enter into the adult world, we must have an understanding of our place in the scheme of things. Note: People often put words such as greater, grand or whole before scheme with the same meaning. In the grand scheme of things, Hertz was a small player.
See also: of, scheme, thing
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- in the (grand) scheme of things
- in the great scheme of things
- build up to
- build up to (something)
- at risk
- damn right
- stand on (one's)/its own
- Mr Right
- So what if I do?
- hold it together