English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
Idioms of BOOKS
I think they were paid off the ~book~ (nonstandard).
I think they were paid off the books (standard). To make a payment in a way that is not officially written down in a person’s or company’s financial records is to pay off the books.
You need an accountant who really can keep the ~book~ (nonstandard).
You need an accountant who really can keep the books (standard). To keep written records of the finances of a business or other enterprise is to keep the books.
Try and be in your mentor’s good ~book~ (nonstandard).
Try and be in your mentor’s good books (standard). If you are in someone’s good books, they are pleased with you, and if you are in their bad books, they are angry with you.
GAB
