read (one) like a book

read (one) like a book

To easily analyze and thoroughly understand one, especially one's emotions, motivations, etc. You won't be a very successful thief with that nervous demeanor—the cops will read you like a book. I can read you like a book, and I can tell that something's wrong, so please tell me what it is.

See also: book, like, read

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

read someone like a book

Fig. to understand someone very well. I've got John figured out. I can read him like a book. Of course I understand you. I read you like a book.

See also: book, like, read

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

read someone like a book

If you can read someone like a book, you find it easy to know what they are thinking. Very clever of them, that bit. They must have read me like a book. There are a number of books on the market which suggest that it is possible to learn to read a person like a book.

See also: book, like, read, someone

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

read someone like a book

be able to understand someone's thoughts and motives clearly or easily.

See also: book, like, read, someone

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌread somebody like a ˈbook

(informal) understand somebody so well that you can guess what they will say or do before they say or do it: She found that after living with him for a year or more, she could read him like a book.

See also: book, like, read, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017