A closed book
- Meaning: Something that is finished or a person/thing that is difficult to understand.
- Example: "As far as I am concerned, that matter with the council is a closed book."
- Example: "I have never been able to work with John. He is a closed book."
An open book
- Meaning: A person or thing that is easy to understand or know about.
- Example: "Julia's life is like an open book. You always know what she's up to."
Read someone like a book
- Meaning: To understand someone's thoughts or intentions very easily.
- Example: "I can read Angela like a book. I always know what she's thinking."
The oldest trick in the book
- Meaning: A very old, well-known, and often dishonest method.
- Example: "It was the oldest trick in the book – one man distracted me while another stole my wallet."
In someone's good/bad books
- Meaning: To be in/out of favor with someone.
- Example: "After yesterday's tantrums, Tommy has been doing his best to be in my good books all day."
By the book
- Meaning: To do something strictly according to the rules or official procedures.
- Example: "We're going to run this company by the book."
To bring someone to book
- Meaning: To punish someone or make them accountable for their actions.
- Example: "I had to bring Tom to book after our meeting. He shouldn't have lost his temper."
Take a leaf out of someone's book
- Meaning: To copy someone's behavior or methods because they are successful.
- Example: "You should take a leaf out of Keith's book. He has achieved wonders."
Don't judge a book by its cover
- Meaning: Do not form an opinion about someone or something based solely on appearance.
- Example: "When I first met Charlotte, she appeared very moody. She is not at all like that. One should never judge a book by its cover."
Cook the books
- Meaning: To falsify financial records or accounts.
- Example: "It appears that Stanley had been cooking the books for years. He was finally caught."