VOA慢速英语--Read Someone Like a Book or Write a Book on Something

Now, the VOA Learning¹ English program Words and Their Stories.

On this show, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We can also tell where they come from. And probably more importantly for those learning to speak English, we explain how and when we use these terms.

Reading is a popular activity for people all over the world. There is nothing quite like getting lost in a really good book. It can be a special experience. Minor² problems melt³ away as the characters in the story seem to come to life.

The best part about books is that they can take you anywhere you want! They can take you to places that do not even exist. We can also understand the world around us and its people better by reading stories.

So, it is no surprise that Americans sometimes use expressions involving the word "book." Today we will talk about two such terms. Both use the two main verbs⁵ you need when talking about a book -- "reading" and "writing."

Let us begin with an expression from a reader's point of view. The following example sounds like an enjoyable activity -- reading someone like a book.

Yet "to read someone like a book" means⁶ that you know the person very well -- and usually not in a good way. We often use this expression in special situations. A person may be trying to trick you, but you know their true objectives⁷. In other words, you can see through their attempts to fool you or someone else.

Now, let's hear how this expression is used in this exchange between two co-workers.

A: Were you able to get him to agree to the deal?

B: No. He didn't sign the agreement.

A: Without his signature⁸, we cannot make the movie.

B: Don't you think I know that! I thought it was a sure thing. He said he was really interested. So, I took him to dinner. I spent a lot of money on a bottle of wine. I even offered him front row seats to that sold-out show next weekend.

A: And he still didn't sign.

B: If you ask me, he had no interest in signing the contract⁹. He just wanted a free dinner and more!

A: Yes, he read you like a book.

So, that is an expression with the verb⁴ "read." Now, let's turn to one with the words "to write."

When you become an expert at something, you may write a book about it. After all, many experts write about what they know. They want to share their expertise¹⁰ or make a name for themselves. Or both.

In any case, we use the expression to write the book on something to describe a person who knows a lot about something. And this person does not need to have published an actual book. But it can be funny to tie the two together, like in the following example.

A: What's keeping you so busy these days? I haven't seen you in weeks.

B: I am studying for my exams on building materials. But I'm having a lot of trouble. I'm not sure what materials are the best or worst for natural disasters.

A: You should talk to Madeline.

B: Madeline? Is she good with building homes in disaster areas?

A: Are you serious? She is THE leading expert on building for natural disasters, from earthquakes to hurricanes¹¹.

B: I had no idea.

A: Oh yeah! She wrote the book on the subject – literally¹³ and figuratively. In fact, do you want to borrow her book? I have a copy.

B: Yes. And please give her my number. I would love to pick her brain!

And that's all for Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Kelly Jean Kelly, for Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Words in This Story

melt away - v. to cause something to lessen¹⁴ and disappear

character - n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show

point of view - n. a way of looking at or thinking about something

literally - adv. involving the ordinary or usual meaning of a word

figuratively - adv. used in a way that has a meaning that is different from the basic meaning : not literal¹²

pick her brain - v. To ask one questions in order to get detailed information or advice

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

3 melt   

v.（使）融化，（使）熔化，使软化，使感动

参考例句：

• If you warm ice,it will melt into water.如果你给冰加热它会融化成水。
• It is easy to melt ice.融化冰很容易。

4 verb   

n.[语]动词

参考例句：

• The sentence is formed from a verb and two nouns.这句子由一个动词和两个名词构成。
• These are the finite forms of a verb.这些是一个动词的限定形式。

5 verbs   

动词

参考例句：

• I have to swot up on phrasal verbs for a test tomorrow. 我不得不为明天的测验努力温习短语动词。
• Verbs that do not take object are called intransitive verbs. 不带宾语的动词称为不及物动词。

6 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

7 objectives   

n.目标( objective的名词复数 )；[光学]（望远镜、显微镜、照相机及其他光学仪器上的）物镜；[语法学]1)。 宾语 2)。 宾格；[军事]出击目标

参考例句：

• Our objectives need to be precisely delineated. 我们的目标需详细解释清楚。
• Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives. 要实现我们的目标，钱是至关重要的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 signature   

n.签名，署名，信号

参考例句：

• Make sure that you get it down and his signature on it.你一定要把它记下来，并让他在上面签字。
• Each person's signature is unique.每个人的签名都是独一无二的。

9 contract   

n.合同，契约，婚约；v.使缩短，感染，订约

参考例句：

• The terms of the contract are acceptable to us.我们认为这个合同的条件可以接受。
• I'm under contract to teach here for one year.我按照聘约要在这里教一年书。

10 expertise   

n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长

参考例句：

• We were amazed at his expertise on the ski slopes.他斜坡滑雪的技能使我们赞叹不已。
• You really have the technical expertise in a new breakthrough.让你真正在专业技术上有一个全新的突破。

11 hurricanes   

n.飓风， （尤指西印度群岛的）旋风( hurricane的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Most hurricanes occur before leaf drop and during or following heavy rains. 大多数飓风出现在落叶以前，暴雨之时或暴雨之后。 来自辞典例句
• Hurricanes never find people prepared. 飓风总是乘人不备突然袭击的。 来自辞典例句

12 literal   

adj.照字面的，原义的，逐字的

参考例句：

• This word should not be taken in its literal sense.这个词不能按本义去理解。
• He made a literal interpretation.他逐字解释。

13 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

14 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。