book (redirected from opening a book)

be a closed book

to be something that you know or understand nothing about. I'm afraid physics will always be a closed book to me. (usually + to)

See also: closed

be an open book

1. if a person's life is an open book, you can discover everything about it because none of the details are kept secret. Like many film stars, he wants to keep his private life private - he doesn't want it becoming an open book.

2. if someone is an open book, it is easy to know what they are thinking and feeling. Sarah's an open book, so you'll know right away if she doesn't like the present you've bought her.

See also: open

be in someone's bad books (informal)

be in someone's good books - if you are in someone's good books, they are pleased with you. He's in Melanie's bad books because he arrived 2 hours late.

See also: bad

be in someone's good books (informal)

if you are in someone's good books, they are pleased with you. I cleaned the bathroom yesterday so I'm in Mum's good books.

See also: good

bring someone to book (British & Australian)

to punish someone. A crime has been committed and whoever is responsible must be brought to book. (usually passive)

See also: bring

a coffee table book

a large, expensive book with a lot of pictures, that is often kept on a table for people to look at. A glossy coffee table book of his art work will be published next year.

See also: coffee, table

cook the books (informal)

to record false information in the accounts of an organization, especially in order to steal money. One of the directors had been cooking the books and the firm had been losing money for years. (usually in continuous tenses)

See also: cook

crack a book (American, informal)

to open a book in order to study. I haven't seen her crack a book and the French test is tomorrow. (usually negative)

See also: crack

every trick in the book

every clever or dishonest way that you know to achieve something that you want. He used every trick in the book to get her to sign the contract. (often + to do something)

See also: every, trick

go by the book

to do something exactly as the rules tell you. My lawyer always goes strictly by the book. This is a private deal - we don't have to do everything by the book.

have your nose in a book

to be reading. My daughter reads all the time. She's always got her nose in a book.

See also: nose

hit the books (American & Australian, informal)

to study. I can't go out tonight. I've got to hit the books.

See also: hit

in my book (informal)

in my opinion. She's never lied to me, and in my book that counts for a lot.

the oldest trick in the book

a way of tricking someone which is still effective although it has been used a lot before. It was the oldest trick in the book - one man distracted me while another stole my wallet.

See also: old, trick

read someone like a book

if you can read someone like a book, you know exactly what they are feeling or thinking without having to ask. You're bored, aren't you? I can read you like a book.

See also: like, read

take a leaf out of someone's book

to copy something that someone else does because it will bring you advantages. Maybe I should take a leaf out of Robert's book and start coming in at ten every morning.

See also: leaf, take

That's/There's one for the books. (British, American & Australian, informal, British & Australian, informal)

something that you say when something strange or surprising happens. My sister stayed in on a Saturday night! There's one for the books. That's a turn-up for the books - a Frenchman who loves English food.

throw the book at someone (informal)

to punish or criticize someone as severely as possible. It was the fifth time Frank had been arrested for drink-driving, so the judge threw the book at him.

See also: throw

You can't judge a book by its cover.

something that you say which means you cannot judge the quality or character of someone or something just by looking at them. She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

See also: can't, cover, judge

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an open book

available for anyone to see or know about. Your health secrets will be an open book to anyone who can do an online search.

See also: open

by the book

as the rules demand. Judge Neil runs his courtroom efficiently and by the book.

cook the books

to keep false financial records for an organization. We're not going to cook the books or lie about the health of our business.

See also: cook

every trick in the book

every way possible. He tried every trick in the book to get her to sign the contract.

Usage notes: usually said about an attempt to deceive someone

See also: every, trick

hit the books

to study. To learn English, she not only hit the books but also practiced conversing with others every day.

See also: hit

not judge a book by its cover

to not be able to really know about someone or something by simply looking at them. She doesn't look very bright, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

See also: cover, judge

off the books

without being included on official financial records. Waiters, cashiers, and busboys often work off the books, getting paid in cash.

Usage notes: sometimes used with keep or take: Officials have kept their expenses off the books.

the oldest trick in the book

a way of deceiving someone that is not new. It was the oldest trick in the book — one man distracted me while another stole my wallet.

See also: old, trick

on the books

part of the law. These changes would add little to the civil rights laws now on the books.

one for the books

something unusual or unexpected. My sister stayed in on a Saturday night! There's one for the books.

Etymology: based on the idea of a record book that contains information about the most unusual, largest, strangest events or things that happen during a particular period of time

take a leaf out of someone's book

to copy something that someone else has done. I should take a leaf out of Robert's book and start coming in at ten every morning – maybe then the boss will notice me!

See also: leaf, take

throw the book at someone

to punish or criticize someone severely. After several arrests for drunk driving, the judge finally threw the book at him.

See also: throw