To no longer be a part of a situation. (Note that this absence can be caused by death.) I'm going to study in the library, so that all of the distractions in my room are out of the picture. I can't ask her out until her disapproving brother is out of the picture, so let me know when he leaves the party. I overheard some of the employees at George's funeral saying that they can take over the company now that he is out of the picture! How tasteless!