any set of rules, pronouncements, etc. regarded as authoritative
See full dictionary entry for book
Examples of 'the book' in a sentence
the book
Two thirds of the books of the Bible are historical.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
They could recite the books of the Bible.
Christianity Today (2000)
There are also five straight shelves of Bibles in the books section.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Fewer people know that he can recite the names of all the books of the Bible.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Why an encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
One might question whether the Books of the Bible are best explored by an encyclopaedia at all.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All related terms of 'the book'
by the book
according to the rules; in the prescribed or usual way
in the book
in all that is known and practiced in connection with a particular activity
Book of the Dead
in ancient Egypt , a book of prayers and charms meant to help the soul in the afterworld
sketch book
a book of plain paper containing sketches or for making sketches in
close the book on
to bring to a definite end
throw the book at
to charge with every relevant offence
write the book on
to be the definitive authority or expert on
every trick in the book
If someone tries every trick in the book , they try every possible thing that they can think of in order to achieve something.
close the book on something
to cause something to end, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation
do something by the book
to do something correctly and strictly, following all the rules
throw the book at someone
to give someone the greatest punishment that is possible for the offence that they have committed
to do sth by the rule book
to do something in the normal , accepted way
to throw the book at someone
If someone in authority throws the book at someone who has committed an offence , they give the offender the greatest punishment that they are allowed to.
to throw the rule book at sb
to inflict the most severe punishment on someone
use every trick in the book
to do everything you can think of in order to succeed in something
it's the oldest trick in the book
said to mean that people should have expected something dishonest or unfair that someone has done because it is a very common or obvious thing to do