write the book
To be an authoritative expert on some specified topic.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you want to learn about gardening, she basically wrote the book.”
“When it comes to fixing vintage cars, my grandfather practically wrote the book on the subject.”
“Having spent decades studying the migration patterns of arctic birds, the professor has effectively written the book on the field.”
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bad books
Disfavor.
- 02
balance the books
To add up all the debits and credits.
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blot one's copy book
To damage one's own reputation through bad behavior.
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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.
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book dumping
The practice of donating old used books that burden rather than assist communities.
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book in
To check in (to a hotel).
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call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
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close the book on
To stop worrying about or trying to do something about; to ignore.
Last updated August 10, 2026