Read somebody like a book
phrase
To understand or know someone or something very well, often because of having seen or experienced it many times before.
She's only been dating him for a month but already she can read him like a book.
Often appears as...
- can read him like a book
- i read her like a book
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To understand or know someone or something very well, often because of having seen or experienced it many times before.
She's only been dating him for a month but already she can read him like a book.
Often appears as...
- can read him like a book
- i read her like a book
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Intimate Insight
Use when you know someone's thoughts or feelings without them saying anything.
Whenever he's troubled, I read him like a book and know exactly how to help.
Pro Tip 2/3Observation Skills
Implies you've watched someone closely and understand their habits or quirks.
After working together for years, I can read her like a book.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
It's a metaphor suggesting people can be understood as easily as reading text from a book.
He's got a poker face, but I can still read him like a book.
Pro Tip 1/3Intimate Insight
Use when you know someone's thoughts or feelings without them saying anything.
Whenever he's troubled, I read him like a book and know exactly how to help.
Pro Tip 2/3Observation Skills
Implies you've watched someone closely and understand their habits or quirks.
After working together for years, I can read her like a book.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
It's a metaphor suggesting people can be understood as easily as reading text from a book.
He's got a poker face, but I can still read him like a book.
Pro Tip 1/3Intimate Insight
Use when you know someone's thoughts or feelings without them saying anything.
Whenever he's troubled, I read him like a book and know exactly how to help.
Pro Tip 2/3Observation Skills
Implies you've watched someone closely and understand their habits or quirks.
After working together for years, I can read her like a book.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
It's a metaphor suggesting people can be understood as easily as reading text from a book.
He's got a poker face, but I can still read him like a book.
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