picture of health

picture of health

One who is or looks especially healthy, robust, of full of vitality. My grandmother is nearly 70 and smokes two packs of cigarettes a day, but somehow she's still the picture of health. It's amazing how having a bit of a tan can make someone a picture of health.
See also: health, of, picture
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

picture of (good) health

in a very healthy condition. The doctor says I am the picture of good health. Each of the children is the picture of health.
See also: health, of, picture
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

the picture of health

or

a picture of health

If someone is the picture of health or a picture of health, they look very healthy. He lay propped on pillows, looking the picture of health, his skin tanned, his jaw firm. Today, Ryan Carroll is a picture of health. Note: Other words can be used instead of health to emphasize how someone looks. He was hardly a picture of elegance. Day after day she came and sat with us and looked a picture of misery.
See also: health, of, picture
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

picture of health, the

A model of well-being. This complimentary description has been around since the late eighteenth century. Jane Austen used it in Emma (1815): “One hears sometimes of a child being ‘the picture of health.’”
See also: of, picture
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • image of health
  • picture of health, the
  • the picture of health
  • smoker
  • chain smoker
  • chain-smoker
  • fountain of youth
  • coffin-dodger
  • an idle brain is the devil's workshop
  • pack heat
References in classic literature
One hears sometimes of a child being `the picture of health;' now, Emma always gives me the idea of being the complete picture of grownup health.
"Why, I saw her--I think it was a week ago--walking along Canal Street, the picture of health, it seemed to me."
His face, besides being the picture of health, had in it the most apparent marks of sweetness and good-nature.
You would think my wife the picture of health if you looked at her, and yet, so delusive are appearances, I am obliged to forbid her all excitement.
"A lady who looks the picture of health; a lady who suffers from a complicated nervous malady; and a lady whose hand is steady enough to use her needle and thread -- is a living mass of contradictions I don't quite understand.
Lady Bertram, sunk back in one corner of the sofa, the picture of health, wealth, ease, and tranquillity, was just falling into a gentle doze, while Fanny was getting through the few difficulties of her work for her.
We met and passed many young Indian women, riding by two or three together on the same horse: they, as well as many of the young men, were strikingly handsome, -- their fine ruddy complexions being the picture of health. Besides the toldos, there were three ranchos; one inhabited by the Commandant, and the two others by Spaniards with small shops.
SIR Billy Connolly looked a picture of health as he went walkabout in Glasgow city centre yesterday.
PICTURE OF HEALTH Rochelle during photoshoot and, inset, with hubby Marvin Humes
The network expands the behavioral picture of health plan members and allows insurers to gain the most personalized and actionable understanding of consumer needs.
Diego Maradona looked a picture of health watching Argentina in action in their World Cup last-16 clash with France, alongside his partner Rocio Oliva on Saturday.
Makes it easier to manage your cycle with a more complete picture of health and fitness data all in one place.
Lack of facilities at Civil Hospital paint dismal picture of health sector
Football hero PAUL GASCOIGNE, 48, is a picture of health on breakfast telly following a recent alcohol relapse.
Songs such as See Us There, Both and Picture Of Health were nothing short of magnificent, with frontman Robert Canavan's emotive and very Scottish vocals soaring over the top of the band's brilliantly realised blend of melody and noise.