English Reference
Idiom idiom

take a leaf out of someone's book


To adopt an idea or practice of another person.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

You should take a leaf out of his book and save more money.

CONTEXTUAL

If you want to improve your fitness, you could take a leaf out of her book and start walking every morning.

COMPLEX

The young entrepreneur decided to take a leaf out of his mentor's book, adopting the same disciplined approach to management that had brought the older man such immense success.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    another nail in someone's coffin

    An event that increases the likelihood of or causes further failure.

  2. 02

    answer someone's prayers

    To be or do exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  3. 03

    answer to someone's prayers

    Exactly what someone has been wishing or asking for.

  4. 04

    apple of someone's eye

    The object of somebody's affections; a person (or sometimes a thing) that someone strongly prefers; a favorite, a loved one.

  5. 05

    bad books

    Disfavor.

  6. 06

    balance the books

    To add up all the debits and credits.

  7. 07

    bane of someone's existence

    Someone or something that poses a significant problem to someone.

  8. 08

    bash someone's face in

    To beat someone violently.

Last updated August 10, 2026