stop taking orders, end a bookkeeping period They usually close the books at the end of February every year.
cook the books
illegally change information in accounting books in a company The accountant was cooking the books for over a year before he was caught.
future looks bright
future looks good, success will come to you Vi was promoted to Department Head. Her future looks bright.
have a looksee
look at something, look for something Pete thinks he can find the cow. He went to have a looksee.
hit the books
study or prepare for class He stayed home all weekend and hit the books.
if looks could kill
the look on your face was evil or hateful If looks could kill, I'd be dead. Are you mad at me or something?
in his good books
among those he likes, on his list of good people She's in his good books because she praised his painting.
in my good books
among the people I like, on my good side To get in my good books, you can help me with my homework.
in your bad books
one of the people you do not like If I don't agree with you, I'll be in your bad books, right?
keep books
keep records of money earned and spent The accountant has been keeping careful books of all the transactions in the company.
on tenterhooks
carefully, cautiously, afraid to move He's cautious since his accident. He drives around on tenterhooks.
on the books
listed, accounted for Is it legal to sell items that aren't on the books - that aren't listed?
one for the books
something very unusual or remarkable His latest complaint about noise at work is one for the books and is very stupid.
tenterhooks
in a state of suspense or strain because of uncertainty They have been on tenterhooks all week while waiting for the decision about the Olympics.
too many cooks spoil the broth
too many managers cause problems, too many chiefs... The structure failed because it was designed by a group of architects. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Too many cooks spoil the stew
Idiom(s): Too many cooks spoil the stew, AND Too many cooks spoil the broth
Theme: CONTROL
A proverb meaning that too many people trying to manage something simply spoil it. • Let's decide who is in charge around here. Too many cooks spoil the stew. • Everyone is giving orders, but no one is following them! Too many cooks spoil the broth.
one for the record books
Idiom(s): one for the (record) books
Theme: SUPERLATIVE
a record-breaking act. • What a dive! That's one for the record books. • I've never heard such a funny joke. That's really one for the books.
keep sb on tenterhooks
Idiom(s): keep sb on tenterhooks
Theme: ANXIETY
to keep someone anxious or in suspense. (Also with have.) • Please tell me now. Don't keep me on tenterhooks any longer! • Now that we have her on tenterhooks, shall we let her worry, or shall we tell her?
get one's hooks into
Idiom(s): get one's hooks into sb or sth
Theme: ACQUISITION
to grasp someone or something; to acquire someone or something; to get someone or something in one's grasp. (Said of someone who is grasping and acquisitive and who will not let go easily. Usually said about a person or about something that is small enough to grasp in one's hand.) • I want to get my hooks into a copy of that book. • She cant wait until she gets her hooks into George.
balance the books
Idiom(s): balance the accounts AND balance the books
Theme: ACCOUNTING
to determine through accounting that accounts are in balance, that all money is accounted for. • Jane was up all night balancing the accounts. • The cashier was not allowed to leave the bank until the manager balanced the books.
The devil looks after his own.
Success comes to those who deserve it least .
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
If too many people are involved in something, it will not be done properly.
In my bad books
If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with you. Likewise, if you are in their good books, they are pleased with you.
Turn-up for the books
A turn-up for the books is an unexpected or surprising event.
be in someone's good books|be in someone's bad boo
be in favour (or disfavour) with someone: "I'm not in her good books today - I messed up her report."
close the books|books|close
v. phr. To stop taking orders; end a bookkeeping period. The tickets were all sold, so the manager said to close the books.The department store closes its books on the 25th of each month.
hit the books|book|books|hit
v. phr., informal To study your school assignments, prepare for classes. Jack broke away from his friends, saying, "I've got to hit the books."
in one's good books|books|good books|good graces|g
adv. phr. Approved of by you; liked by someone. Ruth is in her mother's good graces because she ate all her supper.Bill is back in the good graces of his girlfriend because he gave her a box of candy. Compare: IN GOOD. Antonym: IN ONE'S BAD GRACES.
keep books|book|books|keep
v. phr. To keep records of money gained and spent; do the work of a bookkeeper. Miss Jones keeps the company's books.
one for the books|book|books|one
n, phr., informal Very unusual; a remarkable something. The newspaper reporter fumed in a story that was one for the books.Their trip through the Rocky Mountains was one for the books.
too many cooks spoil the broth|broth|cooks|spoil|s
A project is likely to go bad if managed by a multiplicity of primary movers. A proverb. When several people acted all at once in trying to reshape the company's investment policy, Tom spoke up and said, "Let me do this by myself! Don't you know that too many cooks spoil the broth?"
An OKs idiom dictionary is a great resource for writers, students, and anyone looking to expand their vocabulary. It contains a list of words with similar meanings with OKs, allowing users to choose the best word for their specific context.
Dictionnaire de mots similaires, Différentes expressions, Synonymes, Idiomes pour Idiome OKs