# judge a book by its cover

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/judge-a-book-by-its-cover
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To make judgments about things or people by considering external appearances alone.

## Examples

- You should not judge a book by its cover.
- The new manager looked quiet and shy, but I learned not to judge a book by its cover when she led the team to success.
- While the dilapidated building appeared abandoned and uninviting, one must never judge a book by its cover, for the interior housed a vibrant and thriving community center.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.