B2idiominformalstudyIELTS-friendly
a walking encyclopedia
USUK
a person who knows a lot of facts about many subjects
A compliment. 'Encyclopaedia' is an older British spelling; 'encyclopedia' is now usual in both varieties. Compare 'a know-it-all', which is not a compliment.
In context
Ask my grandfather about history; he's a walking encyclopedia.
Our tour guide was a walking encyclopedia, with a story about every temple.
More idioms about study
- a bookworma person who loves reading and reads a lot
- a bright sparksaid ironically about someone whose clever idea was actually silly
- a closed booka subject that you do not understand or know anything about
- a crash coursea short course that teaches a lot in a very short time
- a dab hand at somethingvery good at a particular skill or activity