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In this English lesson take a look at some English expressions with ‘book’
Try every trick in the book
Every clever or dishonest way that you know to achieve something that you want.
Example : He used every trick in the book to get her to sign the contract.
An open book
Available for anyone to see or know about your personal life.
Example :Your health secrets will be an open book to anyone who can do an online search.
Wrote the book on
To be very authoritative about something; To Know nearly everything about, (Always in past tense.)
Example : Ted wrote the book on unemployment. He’s been looking for work in three states for two years.
To borrow a book of somebody’s book
To copy something that someone else does because it will bring you advantages
Example : Maybe I should borrow a page out of Robert’s book and start coming in at ten every morning.
Bookworm
One who spends much time reading or studying.
Example : She was always a bookworm when she was a kid.
One for the record books
A record-breaking or very remarkable act.
Example : What a dive! That’s one for the record books. I’ve never heard such a funny joke. That’s really one for the record books.
Hit the books
To study hard.
Example : I spent the weekend pounding the books. I gotta go home and hit the books. I have finals next week.
Going by the book
To do something exactly as the rules tell you.
Example : My lawyer always goes strictly by the book.
Cook the books
To record false information in the accounts of an organization, especially in order to steal money.
Meanng : One of the directors had been cooking the books and the firm had been losing money for years.
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover
Something that you say which means you cannot judge the quality or character of someone or something just by looking at them.
Example : She doesn’t look very intelligent, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Books have always played an important part in language learning and learning in general. Which is why it comes as no surprise that the English language has many different words, expressions and idioms that use the word book.
Here are a few that I find useful and use often.
A bookworm
Definition: A person who reads a lot.
A bookworm is someone who loves to read. They would choose to read a book rather than go to a party or do any other activity.
Examples:
- My son is a bookworm. He spends all his time in the library and reads more books than anyone I know.
- My friend and I are bookworms, and we are completely devoted to reading.
Do something by the book
Definition: To do something exactly as the rules tell you.
A person who does things by the book follows all the rules and systems for doing something in a strict way.
Examples:
- Her lawyer was very careful and did everything by the book.
- This is a private deal. He won’t do things by the book.
Be in somebody’s good/bad books
Definition: To have/not have somebody’s approval or favour.
If you are in someone’s good books, they are pleased with you. If you are in someone’s bad books, they are displeased or annoyed with you.
Examples:
- If you want to be in mum’s good books, try to clean your room more often.
- I’m not in my teacher’s good books anymore because I’m always getting into trouble.
Every trick in the book
Definition: Every possible way.
If you have tried every trick in the book, it means that you have tried every possible way of doing or achieving what you want.
Examples:
- He tried every trick in the book to persuade her to go out with him, but she said no.
- Her parents tried every trick in the book to get her into rehab.
Borrow/take a page/leaf out of someone’s book
Definition: To do the same thing that someone else has done because it will bring you advantages.
If you take a leaf out of someone’s book, you follow or imitate the way that person does something because it will be good for you.
Examples:
- Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and start a healthy diet.
- I think you ought to borrow a page out of her book and study harder for your exams.
Hit the books
Definition: To study intensely.
This does not mean to literally hit or punch your books. To hit the books simply means to start studying hard.
Examples:
- I’d better head home. I have an exam tomorrow and need to hit the books tonight.
- Your final exam is next week. If you don’t hit the books now you’ll surely fail.
You can’t judge a book by its cover
Definition: You cannot know or form an opinion about someone or something based on what that person or thing looks like.
If someone judges a book by its cover, they are forming an opinion of someone by seeing what’s on the surface. Outward appearances can fool easily. One can’t judge a person’s character or true value by simple looking at them.
Examples:
- When our neighbours arrived they seemed alright at first, but I suppose you can’t judge a book by its cover.
- Just because she dresses like a Goth doesn’t mean she’s a bad person. Don’t judge a book by its cover!
Have your nose in a book
Definition: To be reading.
If you saw someone with their nose in a book, it means that they are intently reading. It is used to describe someone who is completely absorbed in the activity of reading.
Examples:
- Every time I see her she has her nose in a book.
- He is such a shy boy. His nose is always in a book.
Read someone like a book
Definition: To easily understand the thoughts and feelings of someone by looking at them.
If you can read someone like a book, you know them very well and find it easy to know what they are thinking.
Examples:
- She’s the only person who understands me and can read me like a book.
- Of course I know when Paul is lying. I can read him like a book.
An open book
Definition: To be easy to understand
If someone is an open book it is easy to understand and know what they are thinking or feeling because nothing is kept secret.
Examples:
- My life is an open book.
- Everyone knows everything about Jack. He’s an open book.
Многие из нас любят книги и много читают, особенно студенты – их без книг и не представишь. Беседы о книгах мы уже вели на страницах нашего сайта, теперь вам, наверное, будет интересно узнать о некоторых популярных английских выражениях со словом books.
1. Hit the book – «ударить книгу». Зачем, спросите вы, ударять книгу? Данное выражение означает «заниматься», что равносильно глаголу to study.
- I have to hit the book tonight – мне нужно заниматься вечером
2. Don’t judge the book by its cover – «не суди книгу по ее обложке» — наверняка вы догадались, что смысл выражения приравнивается к русским выражениям «не все то золото, что блестит», или «не суди о вещах только по их внешнему виду».
- Snails look too gross to eat. — Don’t judge the book by its cover – Улитки выглядят слишком неаппетитно, чтобы их есть – не суди о вещах только по их внешнему виду.
3. Be in someone’s good books – если вы хотите сказать, что вы пользуетесь чей-то благосклонностью, или вы на хорошем счету у кого-то, самое время использовать это выражение.
- Mary studies well and is in her teacher’s good books – Мэри хорошо учится и на хорошем счету у своей учительницы.
4. By the book – следовать правилам, делать все по правилам (follow the rules). К примеру, полицейские всегда действуют по правилам и инструкциям.
- Police officers should do things by the book – полицейские все должны выполнять по правилам
5. To book – make an appointments/ reserve something – бронировать/ резервировать что-то
- I booked the meeting room for 3 p.m. – я забронировал зал для проведения митингов на 3 часа
6. To read someone like a book – иногда людям легко угадать о чем мы думаем – выражение лица, глаза выдают наши мысли, и нас можно прочитать, как книгу.
- My students read me like a book – мои студенты всегда знают, о чем я думаю.
7. Open book – это выражение, как и следующее, также относится к мыслям. Если наши мысли легко угадываются, то про них можно сказать :
- Your thoughts are an open book – ваши мысли легко угадать
8. Close book – если же, напротив, лицо человека непроницаемо и не выдает его мыслей, о нем скажут
- Your thoughts are an close book – ваши мысли невозможно угадать
9. To throw the book at someone – «запустить книгой в кого-то». Смысл этого выражения скрыт довольно глубоко — «осудить на срок», «дать максимальный срок», «сделать выговор». Обычно «книгами швыряются» судьи, осуждающие преступников.
- The judge threw the book at me — судья осудил меня на срок.
10. Every trick in the book – «пустить в ход все средства, пойти на любые ухищрения, сделать все, что возможно, использовать любые средства для достижения цели», — вот так можно перевести это выражение.
- I’ve tried every trick in the book to get my students do their homework – я использовала все средства, чтобы заставить своих студентов делать домашнее задание.
11. The oldest trick in the book – старый-престарый трюк, «старо как мир».
- Writing your answers on your hand before the test is the oldest trick in the book – писать ответы на руке перед тестом – очень старый трюк
12. In my book = in my opinion – эта фраза означает «по-моему мнению»
- She is very kind in my book – по моему, она очень добрая.
Are you looking for some common book idioms?
You are in the right place.
In this post, we will look at 47 useful idioms about books that you can use in your everyday English.
A closed book
- Meaning: A person or subject that few know much about.
- Example: Sullivan is a closed book. We know nothing about him.
An open book
- Meaning: A person or subject that is easy to get to know, or is well known
- Example: Don’t be scared to ask Molly anything, she’s an open book.
Book smart
- Meaning: A person who acquires knowledge from reading and studying, but lacks common sense.
- Example: Jennifer may be book smart, but she has no common sense! How many times do I have to remind her to look both ways before crossing the street?
A Bookworm
- Meaning: A person who loves to read
- Example: Lisa is such a book worm. She has read 3 books just this week!
Bankbook
- Meaning: A way to describe someone’s financial state
- Example: I went through my bankbook and I have no money for my rent this month.
By the book
- Meaning: A person who does something according to the rules.
- Example: Chris does everything by the book, so you know it is getting done right. I really appreciate that type of dedication.
Cuddle up with a good book
- Meaning: To get cozy and comfortable while reading a book.
- Example: My plan for this afternoon is to cuddle up with a good book.
Do you read me?
- Meaning: Another way of asking “do you understand me?”
- Example: Hey Peter, do you read me?
Every trick in the book
- Meaning: To try all available means to achieve the desired result
- Example: I’ve tried every trick in the book, yet I still can’t get my car to start. I think I need to surrender and just buy a new one.
I’ll see you in the funny pages
- Meaning: A way to say farewell or goodbye to someone.
- Example: Thank you for everything. I’ll see you in the funny pages.
In my book
- Meaning: In my personal opinion
- Example: In my book, Rory is a good person. She tries her best and is always encouraging others.
In someone’s bad book
- Meaning: To be in someone’s disfavor, to have their disapproval
- Example: Timothy is definitely in Paul’s bad book.
In someone’s good book
- Meaning: To be in someone’s favor, to have their approval
- Example: Rosie is in Henry’s good book. She has made quite the impression on him.
Off the books
- Meaning: When something is off the record or done in secret
- Example: Keep Kayden’s contribution to the new library off the books. We don’t want to spark a competition between the employees.
On the books
- Meaning: When something is on the records, or known about.
- Example: Kyla’s donation is on the books.
One for the (record) books
- Meaning: An amazing event that will forever be remembered.
- Example: Jack’s touchdown with 2 seconds left in the 4th quarter, is one for the record books!
Read it and weep
- Meaning: To find out the bad results of something, many times, the expression is used in cards games.
- Example: A royal flush, read it and weep!
Read my lips
- Meaning: To listen carefully
- Example: Read my lips, I am not returning to Stanford next year. Do you understand?
The oldest trick in the book
- Meaning: A trick, prank or gimmick so predictable, it should not fool anyone
- Example: That is the oldest trick in the book, did he really think I would believe that he could pick up a 2000 pound horse?
The printed word/page
- Meaning: When something is printed or written on a physical piece of paper
- Example: Apparently the GPS needs to be updated. Hence, let’s just read what the printed page says, so we will know the directions.
To balance the books
- Meaning: To add up all credits and debits in one’s own personal or business finances.
- Example: Before you leave tonight, please balance the books for the company.
To be on the same page
- Meaning: To think in the same manner, or have the outlook as someone else
- Example: Kevin and I are on the same page as far as wedding details.
To be put in one’s black book
- Meaning: To be disgraced, or out of favor with someone.
- Example: Earl was definitely in my grandpa’s black book. He made some bad decisions in his younger years and my grandpa never forgave him for it.
To blot your copybook
- Meaning: To damage your reputation
- Example: Make wise decisions so you don’t blot your copybook.
To bring someone to book
- Meaning: To punish or penalize someone by bringing attention to their bad behavior
- Example: It’s not a surprise that Kris brought to book Ethan’s bad decisions. She tends to look for the negative in others.
To close the books
- Meaning: To stop spending time and effort on something.
- Example: For now, I just need to close the books on my science project.
To cook the books
- Meaning: To falsify information, including facts or figures.
- Example: Whatever you do, do not cook the books!
To have your nose in a book
- Meaning: To read with intensity
- Example: Jimmy has his nose in a book, so don’t expect him to come down for another few hours.
To hit the books
- Meaning: To study in general, but many times the idiom is used when studying for an exam.
- Example: I would love to go to the mall with you, but I have to hit the books today.
To make/open book
- Meaning: To take a bet on something.
- Example: I don’t like the idea of an open book.
To page through something
- Meaning: To flip through a book or other written work in a casual manner.
- Example: Tyler, can you page through the blue book for me? Perhaps my note is hidden in there.
To read between the lines
- Meaning: To look for or capture an implied meaning
- Example: Though he wasn’t direct with me, I could read between the lines.
To read from the same page
- Meaning: To have the same understanding or knowledge about something as someone else.
- Example: Josh and Jim read from the same page when it comes to cars.
To read into something
- Meaning: To give something meaning that may not be there.
- Example: Mike was known for always reading into something, whether he had a basis to or not.
To read of something or someone
- Meaning: To read news about something or someone
- Example: I just read of some kids who started a million-dollar company all by themselves.
To read up on
- Meaning: To read about a person or topic to increase one’s knowledge
- Example: I want to read up on the Holocaust to really understand what the Germans went through.
To read someone like a book
- Meaning: To understand or recognize someone’s thoughts or motives without actually being told what they are.
- Example: I don’t know how my Dad does it, but he can read someone like a book.
To read someone the riot act
- Meaning: To give a strong warning to someone because of their bad behavior.
- Example: He may not have liked it, but Luke needed to be read the riot act.
To read someone’s mind
- Meaning: To discern someone’s thoughts
- Example: Zach could always read my mind, I just couldn’t understand how.
To read something cover to cover
- Meaning: To read something in its entirety.
- Example: Lou read that book cover to cover in under an hour.
To read the fine/small print
- Meaning: To be certain of the conditions or circumstances of an agreement
- Example: Before you make a deal, be sure to read the fine print.
To read the room
- Meaning: To analyze the general mood in a particular setting and act in accordance
- Example: Lucas was so great at reading the room, I just followed his lead.
To take a leaf/page out of someone’s book
- Meaning: To imitate an admirable quality that someone else has
- Example: Next time Johnny, try taking a leaf out of Caleb’s book.
To take something as read
- Meaning: To accept or assume something is true, without actually knowing if it is, or discussing it further
- Example: Ms. Penny always takes it as read, so be careful what you say around her.
To throw a book at
- Meaning: To severely punish someone for bad behavior.
- Example: You better be good or else Mom will throw a book at you.
To turn the page
- Meaning: To move on or transition to something else, especially from a negative experience to a positive one.
- Example: After everything last year, I have decided to just turn the page.
You can’t judge a book by its cover
- Meaning: The outward appearance of a person or thing, does not always indicate who or what it/they really are.
- Example: Gina surprised us all with her knowledge of sharks. But like I said, you can’t judge a book by its cover.
There you have it, 47 useful book idioms. Did we miss one? Please share your favorite in the comments below.