This is lesson 23 from Idiom Part 3. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.
Previous English Idiom Lesson
In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:
English Idiom Part 3- Lesson 23- Idioms about Reading Books
1- It’s only light reading = Easy, entertaining, or not too serious reading material.
I brought a magazine because it’s only light reading for the beach.
2- Reading between the lines = Understanding the hidden or implied meaning.
Reading between the lines, I think she’s not happy with her job.
3- A load of tripe! = Something that is nonsense or of very poor quality.
That article was a load of tripe not a single fact in it!
4- Wade through = To read something with difficulty because it is long or complicated.
I had to wade through 300 pages of legal documents.
5- Dipping into it = Reading parts of something casually or occasionally.
I’m not reading the novel all at once, I’m just dipping into it when I have time.
6- From cover to cover = Reading a book from beginning to end.
I loved the story so much I read it from cover to cover in one night.
7- Twist at the end = An unexpected change in the story’s ending.
The mystery novel had an amazing twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
8- High-brow = Intellectual or cultured, often used to describe books or art.
That’s a very high-brow novel full of philosophical references.
9- Heavy-going = Difficult to read or understand.
The textbook was so heavy-going I had to reread every chapter twice.
10- Read the small print = Carefully examine all the details, often of a contract or agreement.
Always read the small print before signing any agreement.
11- Couldn’t make head nor tail of it = Could not understand it at all.
I couldn’t make head nor tail of it, the instructions were so confusing.
12- A good read = An enjoyable or interesting book.
Her memoir was a good read, funny and inspiring.
13- Turn over a new leaf = To start behaving in a better or more responsible way.
After years of bad habits, he decided to turn over a new leaf.
14- An open book = Someone who is very transparent or easy to understand.
She’s an open book, you always know what she’s thinking.
15- Read too much into it = To overanalyze or infer more than what is meant.
Don’t read too much into it, he probably didn’t mean anything by that comment.
16- Judge a book by its cover = To make assumptions based on appearance.
Don’t judge a book by its cover, he may look unapproachable, but he’s kind.
17- Very well read = Someone who has read a lot and is very knowledgeable.
She’s very well read in both literature and history.
Next English Idiom Lesson
In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:
Idioms Related To Relationships
Related Idioms
Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.
Idiom Part 3 Outline
If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 3, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 3 page.
English Fluency Resources
If you like to read all of lessons related to English expressions, phrases, idioms, proverbs, slang and words, you can visit our Improve English Fluency page.
