Cook the books
verb
To change or hide financial facts in a company's accounting records to show fake profits.
The CEO tried to cook the books to make the company look profitable to potential investors.
Often appears as...
- caught cooking the books
- accused of cooking the books
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb
To change or hide financial facts in a company's accounting records to show fake profits.
The CEO tried to cook the books to make the company look profitable to potential investors.
Often appears as...
- caught cooking the books
- accused of cooking the books
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Crime Suggestion
Suggests illegal activity without stating it outright; used to imply fraudulent financial manipulation.
When he said they might need to 'cook the books,' I knew he wasn't suggesting actual cooking.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative meaning and is used to talk about dishonest activities.
After the scandal, everyone knew they had been cooking the books for years.
Pro Tip 3/3Business Context
Most commonly used in business or financial contexts, often involving company accounts.
The accountant was fired for cooking the books and misrepresenting the company's earnings.
Pro Tip 1/3Crime Suggestion
Suggests illegal activity without stating it outright; used to imply fraudulent financial manipulation.
When he said they might need to 'cook the books,' I knew he wasn't suggesting actual cooking.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative meaning and is used to talk about dishonest activities.
After the scandal, everyone knew they had been cooking the books for years.
Pro Tip 3/3Business Context
Most commonly used in business or financial contexts, often involving company accounts.
The accountant was fired for cooking the books and misrepresenting the company's earnings.
Pro Tip 1/3Crime Suggestion
Suggests illegal activity without stating it outright; used to imply fraudulent financial manipulation.
When he said they might need to 'cook the books,' I knew he wasn't suggesting actual cooking.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Has a negative meaning and is used to talk about dishonest activities.
After the scandal, everyone knew they had been cooking the books for years.
Pro Tip 3/3Business Context
Most commonly used in business or financial contexts, often involving company accounts.
The accountant was fired for cooking the books and misrepresenting the company's earnings.
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