This is the british english definition of a closed book. A closed book phrase definition and synonyms macmillan. Closed book cambridge dictionary cambridge university press. Idioms occur in all languages on every continent throughout the world. 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. Closed book definition, something that is not known or cannot be understood. It constituted a strange, illogical territory where two and two didnt always make four. Definition of book by the dictionary of american idioms. Closed article about closed by the free dictionary. Im afraid that this new physics formula will always be a closed book to me c. Its only who knows when i will respond closed i would like to know what does its only who knows when i will respond. Closed book definition of closed book by merriamwebster. A closed book phrase meaning, pronunciation and more by macmillan dictionary.
The oxford dictionary of english idioms is the only resource that i know of. If you say that someone or something is a closed book, you mean that you do not know anything about them. Someone who doesnt say much about themselves, no one really knows anything about their past, hobbies, or. Close the books definition and meaning collins dictionary. It is spoken daily and gives the speaker a kind of sophisticated bearing. The opposite to being an open book, if you are a closed book, you are a mystery. A closed book is sometimes mistakenly defined as someone with trust issues. The slang word phrase acronym close the book means. My wife always complains i never share anything with her, she tells me i am a closed book. Someone or something that is difficult to know or understand. While the exact origin of the idiom behind closed doors isnt known, it is most likely an ancient saying. It has more than 6000 entries, accompanied by etymological information related to the idiom.
Idioms and phrases are being taught in elementary and high school as part of the curriculum for the english language subjects. This english idiom can be used to describe people as well as topics. A closed book definition of a closed book by merriamwebster. Spanish idioms are essential to understanding and communicating with native speakers. You can complete the definition of to close a chapter given by the english cobuild dictionary with other english dictionaries. Information about closed book in the dictionary, synonyms and antonyms. View american english definition of close the book on something change your default dictionary to. 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. Information and translations of a closed book in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Synonyms for closed book at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. 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.
This is the british english definition of close the book on something. 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. This term alludes to information one cant obtain or comprehend because the book is closed. Marvin terban is a bestselling, awardwinning author of more than 30 books for children, most of them about the english language. Closed book definition is something beyond comprehension. See more ideas about idioms and phrases, english idioms and idioms. Learn english words learn english grammar english language learning english writing english learning books slang. What does it mean when someone calls you a closed book. Definition of crack a book by the dictionary of american idioms. 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. Definition and synonyms of a closed book from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. 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. Abstract art is a closed book as far as im concerned.
A list of slang words and phrases, idioms, jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations. A closed book definition is a person or thing that is difficult to understand. It has a searchable app on the appstore for iphone, ipod touch and ipad users. A closed book definition and meaning collins dictionary. Definition of a closed book in the idioms dictionary. A closed book english idiom vocords learn english words. Change your default dictionary to american english. Whether youre a student, an educator, or a lifelong learner, can put you on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement. An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal, meaning. This type of language is not meant to be taken literally in most.
Frank spriggs was a very able man but something of a closed book. 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. Recently some people i know told me that they thought i was a closed book. She is pretty much busy with her work lately so she seldom. Information and translations of closed book in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. 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. Then, the origin of the idiom is given to give a historical explanation. 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.
Definition of close the book the online slang dictionary. From longman dictionary of contemporary englisha closed book to somebodya closed book to somebodynot knowa subject or problem that someone. Closed book meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. 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. 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.
Click on the thesaurus category heading under the button in an entry to see the synonyms and related words for that meaning. English for kids by the childrens book ofthemonth club, marvin is truly an expert on teaching the art of language. The accountant closed the books and that was the end of your 40 year old favourite sweet shop. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary. Closed book definition of closed book by the free dictionary. 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.
This slang page is designed to explain what the meaning of close the book is. Im a scientist, so art will always be a closed book to me. Shes such a private person that i dont know much about her. Search to close a chapter and thousands of other words in english cobuild dictionary from reverso. Proper usage and audio pronunciation plus ipa phonetic transcription of the word closed book. Definition of be a closed book in the idioms 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. 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. Make sure to pay attention to who is saying what under what circumstances before you attempt to use anything but the most common expression. Definition and synonyms of close the book on something from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. If you say that someone or something is a closed book, you mean that you do not know. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary editors or of cambridge university press or its licensors. Close in definition of close in by the free dictionary.
The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary. A secret, mystery, or puzzle, as in i cant figure her out. 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. Join macmillan dictionary on twitter and facebook for daily word facts, quizzes and language news. I know they didnt mean it in a nasty way, but i am sort of confused. View american english definition of close the book on something. 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. I was reading some random book and came across this idiom. 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.
The act of meeting somone and engaging in sexual intercourse within the same night. Meaning of idiom a closed book a closed book is someone or something about which you. From longman dictionary of contemporary englisha closed book to somebody a closed book to somebodynot knowa subject or problem that someone. Im afraid that this new physics formula will always be a closed book to me. It also comes in hard copy book format if you dont own these devices. A closed book definition and meaning collins english. It can also mean you are something that cannot be understood. A closed book definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Open book definition, someone or something easily understood or interpreted. View american english definition of a closed book change your default dictionary to american english.