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!
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:
Idiom | Meaning | In a Sentence |
---|---|---|
Turn over a new leaf | Start anew or make a fresh start | After the summer break, Tim decided to turn over a new leaf and study harder. |
Hit the books | Study or engage in serious reading | With exams approaching, Maria knew it was time to hit the books and review her notes. |
Close the book on | Bring something to an end, often by making a final decision | After much consideration, the team decided to close the book on the controversial project. |
By the book | Follow the rules precisely; do something in a strict manner | The teacher insisted that the students complete the assignment by the book. |
Judge a book by its cover | Form an opinion based on appearance alone | Don’t judge a new student by their quiet demeanor; they might surprise you with their talents. |
Throw the book at someone | Charge someone with every available offense; punish severely | The principal warned that he would throw the book at anyone caught cheating on the exam. |
Open book | Someone or something easy to understand; transparent | Her emotions were like an open book, and everyone could tell she was excited about the upcoming event. |
Bookworm | A person who loves to read and spends a lot of time doing so | Sarah is a true bookworm; you’ll often find her with her nose buried in a novel. |
Read between the lines | Understand a hidden meaning or inference | When reading poetry, it’s essential to read between the lines to grasp the deeper emotions. |
Chapter and verse | Provide specific details or evidence | When explaining his point of view, he could recite the argument’s chapter and verse. |
Take a leaf out of someone’s book | Imitate someone’s behavior or actions | If you want to succeed in math, you should take a leaf out of Emily’s book and practice regularly. |
Book smart | Have knowledge gained through studying and academics | While John may not have practical skills, he’s incredibly book smart and excels in exams. |
Don’t judge a book by its cover | Not form an opinion based on appearances alone | The old saying holds true: don’t judge a book by its cover; people are full of surprises. |
Every trick in the book | Every possible method or technique | The detective used every trick in the book to solve the mysterious case. |
Cook the books | Manipulate financial records, often for fraudulent purposes | The dishonest accountant was caught trying to cook the books to hide the company’s losses. |
Bring to book | Hold someone accountable for their actions; punish | The authorities promised to bring to book those responsible for the vandalism in the park. |
In someone’s good books | Be in someone’s favor or approval | By completing her chores without being asked, Jenny hoped to be in her parents’ good books. |
Keep the books | Maintain financial records | As the treasurer of the club, it was Jack’s responsibility to keep the books accurate and up-to-date. |
A closed book | Something or someone difficult to understand or mysterious | Despite years of research, the ancient artifact remained a closed book to archaeologists. |
One for the books | An extraordinary or memorable event | Winning the championship was truly one for the books; the team celebrated for days. |
Book of life | A record or account of a person’s life | The biography served as a fascinating book of life, detailing the challenges the author overcame. |
Read the riot act | Strongly reprimand or warn someone | Before the big game, the coach read the riot act to the players, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. |
The oldest trick in the book | A well-known or common tactic, usually deceitful | Falling for the fake lottery scam was the oldest trick in the book; Sam regretted not being more cautious. |
Book it | Move quickly; hurry | We need to book it if we want to catch the last bus home. |
Book of rules | A set of established guidelines or regulations | Before joining the club, members must familiarize themselves with the club’s book of rules. |
Know the score | Understand the situation or facts | Sarah always knows the score when it comes to the latest gossip in school. |
Crack a book | Open a book and start studying | If 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
- 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
- The detective used ________ to solve the mysterious case.
- a) Every trick in the book
- b) Book smart
- c) Bring to book
Quiz 3
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Winning the science fair was truly ________ for the team.
- a) One for the books
- b) Book of life
- c) A closed book
Quiz 7
- 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
- The manager decided to ________ the underperforming employee.
- a) Open book
- b) Bring to book
- c) Hit the books
Quiz 9
- 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
- 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
- a) Hit the books
- a) Every trick in the book
- a) Judge a book by its cover
- b) Keep the books
- c) Read the riot act
- a) One for the books
- a) Take a leaf out of someone’s book
- b) Bring to book
- b) Open book
- 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.