Reading idioms and expressions | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

If someone is brought to book...

They will be held accountable or made face the consequences of their actions. "Those responsible for the fraud will be brought to book and prosecuted."

When you read the fine print...

You carefully examine the details, especially the T&Cs of something. "Before signing a contract, it's essential to read the fine print to avoid surprises."

If you shut the book on something...

You bring it to an end. "It's time to shut the book on that chapter of our lives and move forward."

If you throw the rulebook out of the window...

You disregard or ignore established rules or conventions."In times of crisis, sometimes you have to throw the rulebook out of the window and be flexible."

If you read someone like a book...

You understand their thoughts or intentions easily. "She's an open book; you can read her like a book, and she'll tell you exactly what's on her mind."

If you throw the book at someone...

You charge or punish them to the full extent of the law or regulations. "If caught, they'll throw the book at him for breaking into the secure facility."

A turn up for the books refers to...

A surprising or unexpected event. "Well, that's a turn-up for the books - I never thought he'd get the job!"

If you take something as read...

You accept that something is true without making sure that it is. " I just took it as read that anyone who applied for the job would have the qualifications."

If you hit the books...

You begin to study in a serious and determined way. " I have to hit the books this weekend; I have two exams next week."

If you blot your copybook...

You do something that makes other people respect or trust you less. "She saw her sister blot her copybook by being quoted in the press."

One for the record books refers to...

An outstanding or unusual achievement or event. "Last night's game was one for the record books!"

The phrase "in my book" means...

In my opinion/according to my beliefs/as far as I'm concerned. "The government's doing an awful job, in my book."

A bookworm...

Is a person who likes to read books. “She is such a bookworm! She seems to have a new book every day!”

Book smart refers to...

Having a lot of academic knowledge learned from books and studying, but not necessarily knowing much about people and living in the real world ("street smart").

If you cook the books...

You alter facts or figures dishonestly or illegally. "Their accountant was charged with cooking the books, and now he's in jail."

When you take a leaf out of someone's book...

You imitate or emulate someone in a particular way. "Maybe I should take a leaf out of Laura's book and start coming in early every morning."

To bring someone to book refers to...

Punishing someone or calling them to account for their behaviour. "Bringing him to book is the only option to make him understand his actions are wrong."

If you're in someone's good/bad books...

They are pleased/annoyed with you. "Noah is trying to be in the good books of his manager by working overtime."

If you are a closed book...

You are a mystery. It can also mean you are something that cannot be understood.

If you are an open book...

You are a very open person who hides nothing from others. “I thought it would be hard to get information from him, but he was an open book.”

To balance the books refers to...

The process where you ensure that the amount of money coming in and going out matches up to what your records show.

"You can't judge a book by its cover" means...

You can’t judge a person, experience, object, etc. just by what you see. “She doesn’t seem like she is the smartest, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

If you use every trick in the book...

You have tried every possible way and method to do something. “He used every trick in the book until he finally got what he wanted.”

The oldest trick in the book refers to...

A commonly used method to trick or deceive someone. “He told me that his dog ate his homework. That’s the oldest trick in the book.”

If you crack a book open, you...

Are beginning to study. “I never even cracked a book open in my literature class, but I still got an A.”

What does "Have your nose in a book" mean?

It usually means you are oblivious to what is happening in the world because you are so absorbed with what is happening in your book.

What does "By the book" mean?

Doing something by the books means you strictly follow the rules and guidelines. “My boss really likes to do things by the book.”