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You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover

What Does "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover" Mean?

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"You can't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom. It means "you shouldn't judge someone or something based solely on appearance."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "you can't judge a book by its cover" used in a sentence:
  • He may look rough, but he's a kind soul–you can't judge a book by its cover.
  • The restaurant doesn't look impressive, but you can't judge a book by its cover–the food is incredible.
  • I thought she was mean because of her stern appearance, but I learned you can't judge a book by its cover.
meaning for you can't judge a book by its cover

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "You Can't Judge a Book by Its Cover" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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