We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does "Close the Book" Mean?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 17,407
Share

The idiomatic expression "close the book" can have a couple of different meanings, depending on how it is used. In most cases, however, this phrase is used to mean "put an end to" or "seal something away." For example, a person may say he has decided to close the book on a relationship when he has decided to end the relationship. He may also use this phrase when he wants to seal a subject in secrecy. In such a case, the phrase often means that the parties involved will not share the information with anyone else; they may not even discuss it amongst themselves once they have agreed to close the book on the topic.

A person can use a variety of different words and phrases to convey the same meaning. The fact that a person has many ways to express the same thought helps to keep language interesting. One of the phrases a person might use to avoid having his speech sound boring or monotonous is "close the book." For instance, a person may want a more colorful way of saying "end" or "stop" and use "close the book" instead.

In many cases, the phrase is used in relation to something the speaker feels is unpleasant. For instance, a person may decide to close the book on a troubled relationship. Likewise, a person might use this phrase in relation to an unpleasant period in his life. For instance, if a person has spent several years struggling financially and then finally has more money and fewer bills, he may state that he is closing the book on the past unpleasantness as he moves toward a more promising future.

An individual might also use the phrase in reference to something he wants to keep secret. For instance, if a person shares a troubling matter with another person, he may decide that he wants to resolve the matter and then ensure that no one else finds out about it. In such a case, "closing the book" may mean putting the matter to rest and then keeping it a secret indefinitely.

It is important to note that deciphering idiomatic expressions can prove difficult for some people. Often, such phrases are well known in one region yet virtually unheard of in another. As such, an individual who lives in an area in which the term isn't commonly used — or a person who isn't a native English speaker — might become confused and believe it literally means closing a book.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a Language & Humanities writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.
Discussion Comments
By anon326321 — On Mar 21, 2013

It comes from the accounting jargon: the books were the (financial) accounting record.

By nextcorrea — On Jun 10, 2012
Where does the expression close the book come from? What was that original book that they were talking about?
By backdraft — On Jun 09, 2012

I was recently able to close the book on a relationship where I felt like I never really got closure. I broke up with this girl but she lingered in my mind for almost five years afterwards. I dated other women but she was always in the back of my head.

I saw her again recently and it was a huge relief. She had gotten married and was pregnant with her first child and somehow that all came as a huge weight off my shoulders. Knowing that she was happy, and starting a family made her seem so distant and unattainable that I could never again entertain the thought of starting a relationship back up. It was a big relief.

By ZsaZsa56 — On Jun 08, 2012

There are lots of things that we will never be able to close the book on. The longer a mystery goes unsolved the less likely it is that it will ever be solved. Witnesses die, evidence degrades and the truth of the incident begin to fade from the public consciousness.

Look at something like the Kennedy assassination. There remains lots of doubts about what actually happened yet we are not getting any closer to finding out the truth.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a Language & Humanities writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-close-the-book-mean.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.