English grammar
Idioms of reading and writing: read between the lines, spell it out…
Use idioms about reading and writing to talk about hidden meanings and clarity.
From the scene Reading between the lines
In short
Reading-and-writing idioms: read between the lines (hidden message), spell it out, set the record straight, draw a line under it.
- to find the hidden message read between the lines
- exactly as written word for word
- to say it very plainly spell it out
- to correct a false version set the record straight
- no sense at all neither rhyme nor reason
- close it and move on draw a line under it
Your turn
Which one goes with exactly as written?
Options: read between the lines · spell it out · word for word
Show answer
exactly as written → word for word
How it works
To read between the lines is to find the hidden message, and word for word means exactly as written.
Good to know
To spell it out is to say it very plainly, and to set the record straight is to correct a false version.
Good to know
Neither rhyme nor reason means no sense at all. To draw a line under something is to close it and move on.
to find the hidden message read between the lines
Nuria
You have to read between the lines. "Energy" means nobody understands a thing.
Hay que leer entre líneas. "Energía" quiere decir que no se entiende nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You have to (blank). "Energy" means nobody understands a thing.
Options: spell it out · read between the lines · word for word
Show answer
Nuria
You have to read between the lines. "Energy" means nobody understands a thing.
Hay que leer entre líneas. "Energía" quiere decir que no se entiende nada.
exactly as written word for word
Elena
Let me hear it. Word for word.
Léemelo. Al pie de la letra.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Let me hear it. (blank).
Options: Word for word · Read between the lines · Spell it out
Show answer
Elena
Let me hear it. Word for word.
Léemelo. Al pie de la letra.
to say it very plainly spell it out
to correct a false version set the record straight
Elena
Well, I'm going to set the record straight. Call her!
Pues voy a poner los puntos sobre las íes. ¡Llámala!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, I'm going to (blank). Call her!
Options: set the record straight · read between the lines · word for word
Show answer
Elena
Well, I'm going to set the record straight. Call her!
Pues voy a poner los puntos sobre las íes. ¡Llámala!
no sense at all neither rhyme nor reason
Nuria
She does. She says chapter three has neither rhyme nor reason.
Lo explica. Dice que el capítulo tres no tiene ni pies ni cabeza.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She does. She says chapter three has (blank).
Options: word for word · neither rhyme nor reason · read between the lines
Show answer
Nuria
She does. She says chapter three has neither rhyme nor reason.
Lo explica. Dice que el capítulo tres no tiene ni pies ni cabeza.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| to find the hidden message | read between the lines |
|---|---|
| exactly as written | word for word |
| to say it very plainly | spell it out |
| to correct a false version | set the record straight |
| no sense at all | neither rhyme nor reason |
| close it and move on | draw a line under it |
More lines from the story
- ElenaEnergy! She loves it.¡Energía! Le encanta.
- NuriaMontse? Doña Elena would like a word... Oh. She's in a meeting.¿Montse? Doña Elena quiere hablar... Ah. Que está reunida.