Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Swim4life]

What�s the meaning of �put things into perspective�? Thanks.

[CP]

It means to see things realistically, giving everything its true weight and importance, rather than exaggerating something just because it is the latest event.

When you look down the street, objects appear smaller as they are farther away from you. The parallel lines of the street appear to be not parallel but slanted, meeting in the far distance. Perspective describes these phenomena.

When you draw something, you must use perspective to make the objects look realistic, with a small tree in the distance perhaps half the size of a little child in the foreground. In reality, the tree is not smaller than the child, but it looks that way in perspective.

Just so when you are confronted with something new, something that may seem overwhelming. Put it into perspective, and recognize that it may not be so important in the grand scheme of things as it seems right now.
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