write the book on

wrote the book on (something)

To be well known for being extremely experienced in or knowledgeable about something; to be renowned as an expert in something; to know nearly everything about something. The phrase has become so clichéd that it is often used after the word "literally" to describe someone who has actually written a book about a certain topic. This lady wrote the book on modern sound design, so I can't wait to work with her in the recording studio. He literally wrote the book on such trade wars, which was published shortly after his second term as president.

See also: book, on, wrote

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

write the book on

To be the preeminent practitioner of or expert in (something).

See also: book, on, write

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.