turn up for the book
A very unexpected, usually pleasant, surprise.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Winning the lottery was a real turn up for the book.”
“Our team was losing by ten points, so their sudden victory was a real turn up for the book.”
“Given the candidate's dismal polling numbers, his landslide victory in the primary election was a genuine turn up for the book.”
Originally from the language of racecourse betting, where the turn up denoted a stroke of luck and the book referred to the bookmaker's formal record of wagers. The phrase describes an event significant enough to be entered into said record.
- 01
bad books
Disfavor.
- 02
balance the books
To add up all the debits and credits.
- 03
blot one's copy book
To damage one's own reputation through bad behavior.
- 04
book burning
Any mass destruction, removal, or recalling of books, motion pictures, broadcasts, or electronic works as a form of censorship, especially motivated by religious or political objections to the material.
- 05
book dumping
The practice of donating old used books that burden rather than assist communities.
- 06
book in
To check in (to a hotel).
- 07
Buggins's turn
A humorous, disparaging term for the appointment of a person by rotation or promotion, on the basis of length of service (it being that person's "turn") rather than merit or level of qualification.
- 08
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
Last updated August 10, 2026