The accountant closed the books and that was the end of your 40 year old favourite sweet shop. A closed book phrase definition and synonyms macmillan. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary. Join macmillan dictionary on twitter and facebook for daily word facts, quizzes and language news. The slang word phrase acronym close the book means. Someone or something that is difficult to know or understand. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary editors or of cambridge university press or its licensors. This is the british english definition of close the book on something. With a prayer to her maker she threw her hands above her head in the last effort of the drowning swimmer to clutch at even thin air for supportthe current caught and swirled her downward toward the gorge, and, at the same instant her fingers touched and closed upon something which swung low above the water. My wife always complains i never share anything with her, she tells me i am a closed book. See more ideas about idioms and phrases, english idioms and idioms. Closed book definition of closed book by the free dictionary. Definition and synonyms of a closed book from the online english dictionary from macmillan education this is the british english definition of a closed book.
Idioms occur in all languages on every continent throughout the world. If you say that someone or something is a closed book, you mean that you do not know anything about them. Meaning of idiom a closed book a closed book is someone or something about which you. What is known is that it is closely related to the meaning of the word secret, which comes from the late 14th century latin secretus, a term which means set apart, hidden, or withdrawn. Close the books definition and meaning collins dictionary. What does it mean when someone calls you a closed book. I know they didnt mean it in a nasty way, but i am sort of confused. Idioms and phrases are being taught in elementary and high school as part of the curriculum for the english language subjects. Definition of be a closed book in the idioms dictionary. Closed article about closed by the free dictionary.
Her courteous, sedate, inexorable husband, whose will she could not bend, whom she could not cajole, whose mind was a closed book to her a book which had lain by her hand for three years, which she had never had the curiosity to open. I was reading some random book and came across this idiom. This english idiom can be used to describe people as well as topics. It is spoken daily and gives the speaker a kind of sophisticated bearing. You can complete the definition of to close a chapter given by the english cobuild dictionary with other english dictionaries. From longman dictionary of contemporary englisha closed book to somebodya closed book to somebodynot knowa subject or problem that someone. Information about closed book in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms.
Click on the thesaurus category heading under the button in an entry to see the synonyms and related words for that meaning. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word closed book. Closed book cambridge dictionary cambridge university press. With a prayer to her maker she threw her hands above her head in the last effort of the drowning swimmer to clutch at even thin air for supportthe current caught and swirled her downward toward the gorge, and, at the same instant her fingers touched and closed upon something which swung low. Close in definition of close in by the free dictionary. This is the british english definition of a closed book. View american english definition of close the book on something change your default dictionary to. View american english definition of a closed book change your default dictionary to american english. Definition and synonyms of close the book on something from the online english dictionary from macmillan education this is the british english definition of close the book on something. Shes such a private person that i dont know much about her. View american english definition of close the book on something.
She is pretty much busy with her work lately so she seldom. My father closed the books when his father passed away and never went back to doing the same business. Someone who doesnt say much about themselves, no one really knows anything about their past, hobbies, or. From longman dictionary of contemporary english close the book on something close the book on something stop doing something to stop working on something, especially a police operation, because it is not making any progress detectives had closed the book on the hornsey murders case three years previously. Definition and synonyms of a closed book from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. The oxford dictionary of english idioms is the only resource that i know of. The opposite to being an open book, if you are a closed book, you are a mystery. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. A closed book definition is a person or thing that is difficult to understand. The dictionary defines an idiom as an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own. A secret, mystery, or puzzle, as in i cant figure her out.
I do not like the idea of closing the books without meeting with the concerned head of the department and finding out why the payment cannot be made. Im afraid that this new physics formula will always be a closed book to me. A closed book definition of a closed book by merriamwebster. Closed book definition of closed book by merriamwebster. The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary. Closed book meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. A closed book is sometimes mistakenly defined as someone with trust issues.
While the exact origin of the idiom behind closed doors isnt known, it is most likely an ancient saying. A closed book definition and meaning collins english dictionary. An idiom dictionary is a dictionary or phrase book that lists and explains idioms distinctive words or phrases having a figurative meaning that goes beyond the original semantics of the words. In cakes and ale, maughm writes, she was a pattern of propriety and she would never have women in her house, you never knew what they were up to its men, men, men all the time with them, and. From longman dictionary of contemporary englisha closed book to somebody a closed book to somebodynot knowa subject or problem that someone. Definition of book by the dictionary of american idioms.
Its only who knows when i will respond closed i would like to know what does its only who knows when i will respond. It also comes in hard copy book format if you dont own these devices. Learn english words learn english grammar english language learning english writing english learning books slang. It has more than 6000 entries, accompanied by etymological information related to the idiom. Because spanish is spoken in so many different countries, extra care is required when learning idioms. It also comes in hard copy book format if you dont own these devices both of these options are a bit pricy. A closed book english idiom vocords learn english words. Called a master of wordplay by the american library associations booklist and mr.
This type of language is not meant to be taken literally in most. An idioms figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. This term alludes to information one cant obtain or comprehend because the book is closed. Closed book definition is something beyond comprehension. Search to close a chapter and thousands of other words in english cobuild dictionary from reverso.
Whether youre a student, an educator, or a lifelong learner, can put you on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement. Idioms are very cool to use and the more you use them, the more confident you will become when you want to. It constituted a strange, illogical territory where two and two didnt always make four. This slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of close the book is. Information and translations of closed book in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. English for kids by the childrens book ofthemonth club, marvin is truly an expert on teaching the art of language. Meaning of idiom to read someone like a book to be able to read someone like a book means to understand someone completely and to be able to discern their thoughts, emotions, character, motives, desires, etc. Wikipedia, lexilogos, oxford, cambridge, chambers harrap, wordreference, collins lexibase dictionaries, merriam webster. For example, the phrase keep your breath to cool your porridge is more likely to be a rebuke to mind your own business than literal advice at breakfast.
A closed book definition and meaning collins dictionary. Someone who doesnt say much about themselves, no one really knows anything about their past, hobbies, or likesdislikes. Closed book definition, something that is not known or cannot be understood. Definition of a closed book in the idioms dictionary. Definition and synonyms of close the book on something from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. A list of slang words and phrases, idioms, jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. Then, the origin of the idiom is given to give a historical explanation. Information and translations of a closed book in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. A closed book phrase meaning, pronunciation and more by macmillan dictionary.
Definition of close the book the online slang dictionary. Unusual words rare words weird words unique words cool words fancy words words to use big words pretty words names creative writing writing. It has a searchable app on the appstore for iphone, ipod touch and ipad users. For example, the phrase keep your breath to cool your porridge is more likely to be a rebuke to mind your own business than literal advice at. The act of meeting somone and engaging in sexual intercourse within the same night. Im a scientist, so art will always be a closed book to me. A closed book definition and meaning collins english. Definition of crack a book by the dictionary of american idioms.
Marvin terban is a bestselling, awardwinning author of more than 30 books for children, most of them about the english language. An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal, meaning. Change your default dictionary to american english. The big book of idioms and phrases is a quick reference guide to idiomatic expressions that explains the meanings of each idiom, and some examples. Closed book definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Im afraid that this new physics formula will always be a closed book to me c. It can also mean you are something that cannot be understood. Make sure to pay attention to who is saying what under what circumstances before you attempt to use anything but the most common expression. Recently some people i know told me that they thought i was a closed book. Synonyms for closed book at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Although it is clear that the origin comes from the business world where writing the accounting entries in a physical book has abundant meaning, it is unclear about where this phrase was first used. Spanish idioms are essential to understanding and communicating with native speakers. Frank spriggs was a very able man but something of a closed book. Abstract art is a closed book as far as im concerned.
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