read between the lines
read between the lines
To infer or understand the real or hidden meaning behind the superficial appearance of something. "Lines" refers to lines of text on a printed page. He gave a very diplomatic explanation, but if you read between the lines, it seems like he was fired for political reasons. Reading between the lines, it looks the like the company is bracing for a hostile takeover.
See also: between, line, read
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
read between the lines
Fig. to infer something (from something else); to try to understand what is meant by something that is not written explicitly or openly. After listening to what she said, if you read between the lines, you can begin to see what she really means. Don't believe every thing you read literally. Learn to read between the lines.
See also: between, line, read
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
read between the lines
Perceive or detect a hidden meaning, as in They say that everything's fine, but reading between the lines I suspect they have some marital problems . This term comes from cryptography, where in one code reading every second line of a message gives a different meaning from that of the entire text. [Mid-1800s]
See also: between, line, read
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
read between the lines
COMMON If you read between the lines, you understand what someone really means, or what is really happening in a situation, even though it is not stated openly. He was reluctant to go into details, but reading between the lines it appears that he was forced to leave. Note: You can also talk about the message between the lines. He didn't give a reason, but I sensed something between the lines. He was forced to confess to the crime, but he tried to send a message between the lines at his trial.
See also: between, line, read
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
read between the lines
look for or discover a meaning that is hidden or implied rather than explicitly stated. 1994 American Spectator Those familiar with the virulent animosity in this element of black racism can read between the lines to get a fuller picture.
See also: between, line, read
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌread between the ˈlines
find or look for a hidden or extra meaning in something a person says or writes, usually their real feelings about something: Reading between the lines, it was obvious that he was feeling lonely.See also: between, line, read
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
read between the lines
To perceive or detect an obscure or unexpressed meaning: learned to read between the lines of corporate annual reports to discern areas of fiscal weakness.
See also: between, line, read
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
read between the lines, to
To deduce hidden meanings from what is actually said and written. The term comes from cryptography, in which one kind of code actually presents a message on every second line, with a quite different sense imparted if one reads the intervening lines as well. The term began to be used figuratively in the mid-nineteenth century. James Martineau wrote (Essays Philosophical and Theological, 1866), “No writer was ever more read between the lines.”
See also: between, read
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
read between the lines
Infer an unexpressed meaning. An early method of transmitting written coded messages was to write the secret information in invisible ink between the lines of a document. The recipient would then learn the information by reading between the lines. The phrase came to mean gaining an insight in the context of reading something into another person's words or behavior—and often both. For example, you, your spouse, and teenage son are invited to a family gathering. Your son's reaction when he heard the news was to stare at the floor and mutter, “Well, okay if I gotta.” Reading between the lines, you'd say that he's not crazy about going.
See also: between, line, read
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
- read between the lines, to
- along the lines
- run down some lines
- lay some sweet lines on someone
- blow one’s lines
- along those lines
- along the lines of
- along the lines of (something)
- on/along the lines of...
- be on the lines of (something)