know like a book

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know like a book (third-person singular simple present knows like a book, present participle knowing like a book, simple past knew like a book, past participle known like a book)

1. (transitive, simile) To have an extensive and penetrating understanding of (something or someone).
   • 1851, T. S. Arthur, “That John Mason”, in Off-Hand Sketches:

     "He's a bad man, that John Mason, and my advice to you and to every one, is to keep clear of him. I know him like a book."

   • 1939 June 21, “Slayer Still Free in Woods”, in Leader Post, Saskatchewan, Canada, retrieved 18 November 2013, page 9:

     "Olson can hide out around here until the snow flies if he wants to. He knows these woods—every steam and lake—like a book."

   • 1998 March 22, Dave Anderson, “College Basketball: When Sherman White Threw It All Away”, in New York Times, retrieved 18 November 2013:

     "I played with the guy seven days a week; I knew him like a book."

   • 2010, Bill Ratcliffe, Liz, →ISBN, page 24:

     "Around here I know the shoreline like a book."

• know inside and out
• know like the back of one's hand

• read like a book

• “know like a book”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.