Welcome to our fun guide on literature idioms! Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say, but they are used to express something in a creative way. They make language colorful and interesting. In this post, we’ll explore 20 literature-related idioms, explain what they mean, and show you how to use them in sentences.
Literature Idioms
Here are 20 literature idioms in English.
1. In a nutshell
Meaning: In a few words, summarizing
Example: He described the movie plot in a nutshell.
2. On the same page
Meaning: Agreeing with someone
Example: We’re on the same page about the plan.
3. A closed book
Meaning: Something mysterious or unknown
Example: His past is a closed book to us.
4. Read between the lines
Meaning: Find the hidden meaning
Example: You need to read between the lines here.
5. An open book
Meaning: Someone very easy to understand
Example: She is an open book to everyone.
6. By the book
Meaning: Following rules strictly
Example: He does everything by the book.
7. A chapter of accidents
Meaning: Series of unlucky events
Example: Yesterday was a chapter of accidents.
8. Bookworm
Meaning: Someone who reads a lot
Example: My brother is a total bookworm.
9. To write someone off
Meaning: No longer consider as significant
Example: He was written off as a has-been.
10. The last word
Meaning: Final say in a matter
Example: She always must have the last word.
11. Turn the page
Meaning: Move on from an issue
Example: It’s time to turn the page on this.
12. Speak volumes
Meaning: Provide a lot of information
Example: Her smile spoke volumes.
13. Cook up a story
Meaning: Make up a false story
Example: He cooked up a story about his trip.
14. Cover story
Meaning: A false story that is told to conceal the truth
Example: She used the meeting as a cover story.
15. Read someone like a book
Meaning: Understand someone very well
Example: I can read him like a book.
16. Bring to book
Meaning: Demand an explanation or justice
Example: They were brought to book for their errors.
17. In someone’s good books
Meaning: In favor with someone
Example: I’m in her good books this week.
18. Hit the books
Meaning: Start studying hard
Example: It’s time to hit the books for exams.
19. Throw the book at someone
Meaning: Punish someone as severely as possible
Example: The judge threw the book at him.
20. Under one’s thumb
Meaning: Under someone’s control
Example: He has his staff under his thumb.
