What is the meaning of the phrase ‘in the books’?
Something is finished or completed.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘in the books’?
The precise origin of the phrase “in the books” remains unclear, but it is believed to have historical roots related to record-keeping. It likely derives from the context of account books, logbooks, or other types of records where completed events or transactions were documented.
In account books, entries were made to record completed transactions, which provided a formal and permanent record. This practice of recording events or tasks in books eventually led to the idiomatic expression “in the books,” meaning that something is finished and documented.
There is no substantial evidence to support the claim that the phrase dates back to ancient times when records were kept on clay tablets. The use of “in the books” is more closely associated with the advent of written records in ledgers and logbooks.
The phrase ‘in the books’ can be considered American English, signifying an indisputable and well-documented narrative, and is often used to enhance the credibility and authority of a statement.
The term ‘in the books’ is less well known compared with other phrases that use the word ‘books’. Today, you may find the phrase used in everyday conversation, on TV, in literature, in business meetings, and in sports commentary where it is widely recognized and understood to mean that something has been successfully concluded.
Similar phrases to ‘in the books’
There are many English phrases that use the word ‘books’. For instance, be careful not to confuse the phrase ‘in the books’ with the phrase ‘on the books’ which means that something is officially recorded and valid. These phrases are not interchangeable and should not be conflated.
Similarly, you should avoid confusing the phrase with ‘in my book’ which means ‘in my opinion’, or ‘in the bad books’ which means ‘not liked by said person’.
There’s also another common phrase in the English language ‘hit the books’ which means ‘get studying’. Another is ‘one for the books’ which means ‘an outstanding or unusual achievement or event’. Then there’s ‘A turn up for the books’ which means ‘an unexpected piece of good fortune’.
We also have ‘cook the books’ or ‘cooking the books’ which means ‘manipulating financial records fraudulently or deceptively’, and the phrase ‘off the books’ which means ‘not recorded’, which again often refers to deceptive accounting practices.
Similarly, we have ‘by the book’ which means ‘by following the rules exactly’. Then there’s ‘threw the book at them’ which means ‘to charge a suspect with every possible crime that he can be considered guilty of, even minor ones’.
