like a book イディオム
read one like a book|book|read
v. phr.,
informal To understand someone completely; know what he will think or do at any time.
John's girlfriend could read him like a book. Compare: READ ONE'S MIND.
know like a book
know like a book Also,
know like the back of one's hand or
know backwards and forwards. Be extremely familiar with or knowledgeable about; understand perfectly. For example,
I know Greg like a book—I'm sure he'll come, or
I know this town like the back of my hand, or
John knew his part backwards and forwards. The first of these hyperbolic idioms, dating from the early 1800s, has a close cousin in
read like a book, which means “to discern someone's intent,” as in
I can read Greg like a book; also see under
open book. The second (
back of hand) dates only from the mid-1900s. Also see
backward and forward, def. 2;
inside out, def. 2;
know all the answers.
like a book
Thoroughly, completely, or easily. Usually acclimated afterwards the nouns "read" or "know." I can apprehend you like a book, and I can acquaint that something's wrong, so amuse acquaint me what it is. After 30 years of marriage, my wife and I apperceive anniversary added like a book.Learn more: book, like like a book
Thoroughly; completely: I apperceive my adolescent like a book.Learn more: book, like