English

Verb

know like a book

1. (transitive, idiomatic) To have an extensive and penetrating understanding of (something or someone).
   • 1851, T. S. Arthur, "That John Mason" in Off-Hand Sketches:

     "He's a bad man, that John Mason, and my advice to you and to every one, is to keep clear of him. I know him like a book."

   • 1939 June 21, "Slayer Still Free in Woods," Leader Post (Saskatchewan, Canada), p. 9 (retrieved 18 Nov 2013):

     "Olson can hide out around here until the snow flies if he wants to. He knows these woods—every steam and lake—like a book."

   • 1998 March 22, Dave Anderson, "College Basketball: When Sherman White Threw It All Away," New York Times (retrieved 18 Nov 2013):

     "I played with the guy seven days a week; I knew him like a book."

   • 2010, Bill Ratcliffe, Liz, ISBN 9781449058180, p. 24 (Google preview):

     "Around here I know the shoreline like a book."

Synonyms

• know inside and out
• know like the back of one's hand

See also

• read like a book

References

• know like a book at OneLook Dictionary Search