Idioms related to books
  • turn over a new leaf: to forget the past and start again with the intention of doing better. I didn't want to keep making those same mistakes, so I decided to turn over a new leaf. Now everything is better.

  • read someone like a book: to understand someone very well. I know just why he did that; I can read him like a book.

  • read between the lines: to infer something (from something); to see what is really meant by what is written or said. Don't believe everything you hear; you have to read between the lines.

  • you can't tell a book by its cover: You can't tell what a person or thing is like from its outward appearance. He looks like he'd be able to do the job, but I'm not sure: you can't tell a book by its cover.

  • by the book: according to the rules (informal). He doesn't deviate from the prescribed procedures even a little bit; he always goes by the book.

  • crack a book: to open a book to study (slang; almost always used in the negative). I passed that test without even cracking a book!

  • in one's book: in one's opinion (informal). In my book that's the very best way to do it.

  • one for the books: a record-breaking act. I've never seen it done so fast. That's one for the books!

  • throw the book at: to charge or convict (someone) with as many crimes as possible. We thought he'd get off with a lighter sentence, but they really threw the book at him.

  • leaf through: to look through (a book, magazine, or newspaper) without reading it carefully. Why don't you just leaf though this book to see whether you want to buy it?

  • have one's nose in a book: to be reading a book; to read books all the time. Every time I see him, he has his nose in a book.

  • hit the books: to begin to study; to study (slang). If you want to pass that test tomorrow, you'd better hit the books tonight.

  • use every trick in the book: to use every method possible (informal). We used every trick in the book and we still couldn't get it done.


    Some words and phrases that contain the word "book" do not refer to books in the usual sense:

  • book passage (a flight, etc.): to arrange in advance for something; make reservations

  • booking office: an office where tickets are sold (e.g., at a railway station)

  • book of (matches, stamps, etc.): a collection of things fastened together, having its own cover

  • book value: the value of something as shown on bookkeeping records, as opposed to its market value (or current selling price)

  • bookmaker (or bookie): a person who collects bets before a race and pays the winners

  • book: to leave; depart (slang). I'm bored with this party; let's book.