en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

Explaining "Do not judge a book by its cover"

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 19:33
English.me team member

What does it mean?

Do not judge a book by its cover

The phrase means that you should not form an opinion about something or someone based solely on their appearance or initial impression.

Tone

Advisory

Origin

The phrase is a metaphorical idiom that implies the outside appearance does not always reflect the true nature of something. Its origin dates back to at least the mid-19th century.

Examples of usage

  • Even though the job applicant's resume wasn't very impressive, I decided to interview her anyway—after all, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
  • The house might look small from the outside, but it's surprisingly spacious inside. Don't judge a book by its cover!

Recommended posts in Phrases

Keep your chin up

Keep your chin up

The phrase "Keep your chin up" is an idiom that ... Learn more →

Business before pleasure

Business before pleasure

The phrase "Business before pleasure" means that one should prioritize ... Learn more →

Make hay while the sun shines

Make hay while the sun shines

The phrase means to take advantage of favorable conditions while ... Learn more →

Discretion is the better part of valour

Discretion is the better part of valour

The phrase "Discretion is the better part of valour" means ... Learn more →