27 Idioms for Books + Quiz


Have you ever wondered why people say things like “hit the books” or “read between the lines”? Well, buckle up because we’re about to turn over a new leaf and explore the meanings behind these bookish idioms. Let’s dive in!

idioms for books

What is an idiom for books?

Idioms are like secret codes in language. They are expressions that don’t mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have a hidden meaning that you need to figure out.

Idioms for books use words related to reading and literature to convey a message that goes beyond their literal interpretation.

Now, let’s crack open the book of idioms and explore each one:


0%
0 votes, 0 avg
230
Created by Dr. Julia Rossi

English Language Level Placement Test – (TEFL)

Can you pass our Language Test?

Pass and receive an “English Language Level Placement” certificate.

1 / 20

What is a simile?

2 / 20

Identify the simile in the following sentence: “She swims like a fish.”

3 / 20

What is a metaphor?

4 / 20

Which of the following is a metaphor?

5 / 20

What is an idiom?

6 / 20

What does the idiom “break the ice” mean?

7 / 20

What is an adjective?

8 / 20

Choose the adjective in the following sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

9 / 20

What is an abbreviation?

10 / 20

What does the abbreviation “e.g.” stand for?

11 / 20

What is a verb?

12 / 20

Identify the verb in the following sentence: “The cat sleeps on the sofa.”

13 / 20

“Out of the frying pan into the fire” is an example of:

14 / 20

Which of the following is an adjective?

15 / 20

The abbreviation “NASA” stands for:

16 / 20

Choose the metaphor in the following sentence: “Time is a thief.”

17 / 20

What does the idiom “hit the books” mean?

18 / 20

Which of the following sentences contains a simile?

19 / 20

“LOL” is an abbreviation for:

20 / 20

Identify the verb in this sentence: “They whispered secrets into the night.”

Enter your name and email to receive your certificate.

Your score is

The average score is 12%

0%


IdiomMeaningIn a Sentence
Turn over a new leafStart anew or make a fresh startAfter the summer break, Tim decided to turn over a new leaf and study harder.
Hit the booksStudy or engage in serious readingWith exams approaching, Maria knew it was time to hit the books and review her notes.
Close the book onBring something to an end, often by making a final decisionAfter much consideration, the team decided to close the book on the controversial project.
By the bookFollow the rules precisely; do something in a strict mannerThe teacher insisted that the students complete the assignment by the book.
Judge a book by its coverForm an opinion based on appearance aloneDon’t judge a new student by their quiet demeanor; they might surprise you with their talents.
Throw the book at someoneCharge someone with every available offense; punish severelyThe principal warned that he would throw the book at anyone caught cheating on the exam.
Open bookSomeone or something easy to understand; transparentHer emotions were like an open book, and everyone could tell she was excited about the upcoming event.
BookwormA person who loves to read and spends a lot of time doing soSarah is a true bookworm; you’ll often find her with her nose buried in a novel.
Read between the linesUnderstand a hidden meaning or inferenceWhen reading poetry, it’s essential to read between the lines to grasp the deeper emotions.
Chapter and verseProvide specific details or evidenceWhen explaining his point of view, he could recite the argument’s chapter and verse.
Take a leaf out of someone’s bookImitate someone’s behavior or actionsIf you want to succeed in math, you should take a leaf out of Emily’s book and practice regularly.
Book smartHave knowledge gained through studying and academicsWhile John may not have practical skills, he’s incredibly book smart and excels in exams.
Don’t judge a book by its coverNot form an opinion based on appearances aloneThe old saying holds true: don’t judge a book by its cover; people are full of surprises.
Every trick in the bookEvery possible method or techniqueThe detective used every trick in the book to solve the mysterious case.
Cook the booksManipulate financial records, often for fraudulent purposesThe dishonest accountant was caught trying to cook the books to hide the company’s losses.
Bring to bookHold someone accountable for their actions; punishThe authorities promised to bring to book those responsible for the vandalism in the park.
In someone’s good booksBe in someone’s favor or approvalBy completing her chores without being asked, Jenny hoped to be in her parents’ good books.
Keep the booksMaintain financial recordsAs the treasurer of the club, it was Jack’s responsibility to keep the books accurate and up-to-date.
A closed bookSomething or someone difficult to understand or mysteriousDespite years of research, the ancient artifact remained a closed book to archaeologists.
One for the booksAn extraordinary or memorable eventWinning the championship was truly one for the books; the team celebrated for days.
Book of lifeA record or account of a person’s lifeThe biography served as a fascinating book of life, detailing the challenges the author overcame.
Read the riot actStrongly reprimand or warn someoneBefore the big game, the coach read the riot act to the players, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.
The oldest trick in the bookA well-known or common tactic, usually deceitfulFalling for the fake lottery scam was the oldest trick in the book; Sam regretted not being more cautious.
Book itMove quickly; hurryWe need to book it if we want to catch the last bus home.
Book of rulesA set of established guidelines or regulationsBefore joining the club, members must familiarize themselves with the club’s book of rules.
Know the scoreUnderstand the situation or factsSarah always knows the score when it comes to the latest gossip in school.
Crack a bookOpen a book and start studyingIf you want to improve your grades, you’ll need to crack a book and dedicate more time to your studies.

Metaphors can enrich our understanding of books, like comparing them to windows that open to new worlds. To discover more metaphors for books, you can visit this link: Metaphors for Books. Similarly, similes make books more relatable by comparing them to something we know, such as saying they’re as comforting as an old friend. Explore additional similes for books here: Similes for Books.

Idioms for Books

1. Turn over a new leaf

Meaning: To start anew or make a fresh start.

In a Sentence: After the summer break, Tim decided to turn over a new leaf and study harder.

2. Hit the books

Meaning: To study or engage in serious reading.

In a Sentence: With exams approaching, Maria knew it was time to hit the books and review her notes.

3. Close the book on

Meaning: To bring something to an end, often by making a final decision.

In a Sentence: After much consideration, the team decided to close the book on the controversial project.

4. By the book

Meaning: To follow the rules precisely; to do something in a strict and proper manner.

In a Sentence: The teacher insisted that the students complete the assignment by the book.

5. Judge a book by its cover

Meaning: To form an opinion about someone or something based on appearance alone.

In a Sentence: Don’t judge a new student by their quiet demeanor; they might surprise you with their talents.

6. Throw the book at someone

Meaning: To charge someone with every available offense; to punish severely.

In a Sentence: The principal warned that he would throw the book at anyone caught cheating on the exam.

7. Open book

Meaning: Someone or something easy to understand; transparent.

In a Sentence: Her emotions were like an open book, and everyone could tell she was excited about the upcoming event.

8. Bookworm

Meaning: A person who loves to read and spends a lot of time doing so.

In a Sentence: Sarah is a true bookworm; you’ll often find her with her nose buried in a novel.

9. Read between the lines

Meaning: To understand a hidden meaning or inference.

In a Sentence: When reading poetry, it’s essential to read between the lines to grasp the deeper emotions.

10. Chapter and verse

Meaning: To provide specific details or evidence.

In a Sentence: When explaining his point of view, he could recite the argument’s chapter and verse.

11. Take a leaf out of someone’s book

Meaning: To imitate someone’s behavior or actions.

In a Sentence: If you want to succeed in math, you should take a leaf out of Emily’s book and practice regularly.

12. Book smart

Meaning: Having knowledge gained through studying and academics.

In a Sentence: While John may not have practical skills, he’s incredibly book smart and excels in exams.

13. Don’t judge a book by its cover

Meaning: To not form an opinion based on appearances alone.

In a Sentence: The old saying holds true: don’t judge a book by its cover; people are full of surprises.

14. Every trick in the book

Meaning: Every possible method or technique.

In a Sentence: The detective used every trick in the book to solve the mysterious case.

15. Cook the books

Meaning: To manipulate financial records, often for fraudulent purposes.

In a Sentence: The dishonest accountant was caught trying to cook the books to hide the company’s losses.

16. Bring to book

Meaning: To hold someone accountable for their actions; to punish.

In a Sentence: The authorities promised to bring to book those responsible for the vandalism in the park.

17. In someone’s good books

Meaning: To be in someone’s favor or approval.

In a Sentence: By completing her chores without being asked, Jenny hoped to be in her parents’ good books.

18. Keep the books

Meaning: To maintain financial records.

In a Sentence: As the treasurer of the club, it was Jack’s responsibility to keep the books accurate and up-to-date.

19. A closed book

Meaning: Something or someone difficult to understand or mysterious.

In a Sentence: Despite years of research, the ancient artifact remained a closed book to archaeologists.

20. One for the books

Meaning: An extraordinary or memorable event.

In a Sentence: Winning the championship was truly one for the books; the team celebrated for days.

21. Book of life

Meaning: A record or account of a person’s life.

In a Sentence: The biography served as a fascinating book of life, detailing the challenges the author overcame.

22. Read the riot act

Meaning: To strongly reprimand or warn someone.

In a Sentence: Before the big game, the coach read the riot act to the players, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.

23. The oldest trick in the book

Meaning: A well-known or common tactic, usually deceitful.

In a Sentence: Falling for the fake lottery scam was the oldest trick in the book; Sam regretted not being more cautious.

24. Book it

Meaning: To move quickly; to hurry.

In a Sentence: We need to book it if we want to catch the last bus home.

25. Book of rules

Meaning: A set of established guidelines or regulations.

In a Sentence: Before joining the club, members must familiarize themselves with the club’s book of rules.

26. Know the score

Meaning: To understand the situation or facts.

In a Sentence: Sarah always knows the score when it comes to the latest gossip in school.

27. Crack a book

Meaning: To open a book and start studying.

In a Sentence: If you want to improve your grades, you’ll need to crack a book and dedicate more time to your studies.

10 Quizzes About The Idiom in The Article

Quiz 1

  1. After failing the first test, Sarah decided to ________ and focus on her studies.
    • a) Hit the books
    • b) Close the book on
    • c) Open book

Quiz 2

  1. The detective used ________ to solve the mysterious case.
    • a) Every trick in the book
    • b) Book smart
    • c) Bring to book

Quiz 3

  1. Despite being shy, don’t ________; he’s a talented musician.
    • a) Judge a book by its cover
    • b) Book it
    • c) Know the score

Quiz 4

  1. Jenny always keeps the financial records accurate. She’s known for her ability to ________.
    • a) Cook the books
    • b) Keep the books
    • c) Turn over a new leaf

Quiz 5

  1. The coach had to ________ to the players before the championship game.
    • a) Book it
    • b) Read between the lines
    • c) Read the riot act

Quiz 6

  1. Winning the science fair was truly ________ for the team.
    • a) One for the books
    • b) Book of life
    • c) A closed book

Quiz 7

  1. If you want to succeed in school, it’s crucial to ________ and study regularly.
    • a) Take a leaf out of someone’s book
    • b) Throw the book at someone
    • c) Book of rules

Quiz 8

  1. The manager decided to ________ the underperforming employee.
    • a) Open book
    • b) Bring to book
    • c) Hit the books

Quiz 9

  1. Despite his quiet nature, Tim’s abilities are like an ________.
    • a) A closed book
    • b) Open book
    • c) Every trick in the book

Quiz 10

  1. The old saying holds true: ________; people are full of surprises.
    • a) Don’t judge a book by its cover
    • b) Book it
    • c) Chapter and verse

Answers

  1. a) Hit the books
  2. a) Every trick in the book
  3. a) Judge a book by its cover
  4. b) Keep the books
  5. c) Read the riot act
  6. a) One for the books
  7. a) Take a leaf out of someone’s book
  8. b) Bring to book
  9. b) Open book
  10. a) Don’t judge a book by its cover

Conclusion

You’ve just journeyed through the exciting realm of idioms for books. Remember, these expressions add spice to our language, so don’t be afraid to sprinkle them into your conversations.

Cite this entry:

Phrasesdirectory.com. “,” Retrieved from Phrases Directory – Accessed

About the author

Latest posts

  • 25 Metaphors For Love

    25 Metaphors For Love

    Love, a complex and multifaceted emotion, has been a timeless subject of exploration and expression. One way humans have sought to understand and convey the nuances of love is through…

    Read more

  • 17 Metaphors For Life + Quiz

    17 Metaphors For Life + Quiz

    Navigating the complexities of life often requires a metaphorical lens through which we can view our experiences. Metaphors for life provide a rich tapestry of imagery that encapsulates the essence…

    Read more