take a leaf out of somebody's book

take a leaf out of (someone's) book

To do something in the way someone else would do it; to behave or act like someone else. I think I'm going to take a leaf out of your book and start going for a run first thing in the morning. Our youngest son was always very placid as a baby, but now that he's getting older, he's begun taking a leaf out of our older boy's book.

See also: book, leaf, of, out, take

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

take a leaf out of somebody’s ˈbook

follow somebody’s example because you admire them and their way of doing something: If you’re having difficulty with the children, take a leaf out of Sandra’s book. She knows how to control them.

Leaf is an old word for a page.

See also: book, leaf, of, out, take

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017