the 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.

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
  • picture of health, the
  • smoker
  • chain smoker
  • chain-smoker
  • fountain of youth
  • coffin-dodger
  • an idle brain is the devil's workshop
  • pack heat
References in classic literature
"Why, I saw her--I think it was a week ago--walking along Canal Street, the picture of health, it seemed to me."
Awakening and Selected Short Stories
His face, besides being the picture of health, had in it the most apparent marks of sweetness and good-nature.
The History of Tom Jones a Foundling
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.
No Name
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.
Mansfield Park
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.
The Voyage of the Beagle
But all he needs is a wash and a decent night's sleep and he'll be the picture of health. As luck would have it, he stumbles across a family of survivors and gets that magic treatment.
WE LOVE DRAMA
2007 Twins Lucky and Bambi looked the picture of health in Cramlington.
TODAY
DAWN FRENCH: There's no denying she's always been a sexy lady but 6st lighter, she is looking the picture of health.
HOT SPUDS SOGGY VEG
But the youngster looked like the picture of health when he joined his dad, mum Becky and siblings Harry, eight, and Ava, two, at Birmingham's Thinktank museum for a day organised by the Meningitis Trust.
Blues star backs charity's day
AMY Winehouse looked the picture of health - for her - on a trip to the supermarket.
Wino's at Waitrose; the Razz
Hunky Aidan Turner looked the picture of health as he splashed around in the sea for a scene which will be shown on The Clinic this week.
Clinic star causes splash with dip
He may look the picture of health but surely that is a testament to the man's dedication to his sport.
Del's dream destroyers a disgrace
"When the Picture of Health contest came up, I saw it as an opportunity to get my message out on a larger forum," she said.
Magazine gives $5,000 to NEADS organization; San Diego contest winner chose charity