Idiom #80: A Picture Paints a Thousand Words [Top 100 Famous Idioms]

The saying "a picture paints a thousand words" refers to a visual presentation which would be a better description than a verbal one. The term can be applied to a wide variety of circumstances, from the news to daily communications. It is also appears frequently in movies, books, songs, and other types of writing.

For Example:

“If a picture paints a thousand words

Then why can't I paint you;

The words will never show

The you I've come to know.”

-- 1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album

“Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, a picture paints a thousand words.”

This is the Idiom #80 in the List of 100 commonly used Idioms in everyday English (Top 100 famous Idioms). By introducing this list of notable idioms to English learners and ESL students as you, we believe that your English will sound more like a native and you can easily understand what native speakers are saying. Please like and share this list with your friends if you think it is helpful - the full list is here.