wrote the book on (something)
wrote the book on (something)
To be well known for being extremely experienced in or knowledgeable about something; to be renowned as an expert in something; to know nearly everything about something. The phrase has become so clichéd that it is often used after the word "literally" to describe someone who has actually written a book about a certain topic. This lady wrote the book on modern sound design, so I can't wait to work with her in the recording studio. He literally wrote the book on such trade wars, which was published shortly after his second term as president.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
wrote the book on something
Fig. to be very authoritative about something; to know enough about something to write the definitive book on it. (Always in past tense.) Ted wrote the book on unemployment. He's been looking for work in three states for two years. Do I know about misery? I wrote the book on misery!
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
wrote the book on
Knows nearly everything about, as in Ask Dr. Lock; he wrote the book on pediatric cardiology, or I wrote the book on job-hunting; I've been looking for two years. This expression is always put in the past tense. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
wrote the book on
know everything there is to know about; be the expert on. informal, chiefly North AmericanFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
write the book on
To be the preeminent practitioner of or expert in (something).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.