C1idiominformalbusinessIELTS-friendly
cook the books
USUK
to change a company's financial records dishonestly, usually to hide losses or steal money
Informal. 'The books' means a company's accounts. Compare 'balance the books', which is honest.
In context
The accountant was arrested for cooking the books for more than five years.
If the profits look too good to be true, someone may have cooked the books.
Common mistake
Incorrect: The manager cooked the book to hide the losses.
Correct: The manager cooked the books to hide the losses.
More idioms about business
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- a bottlenecka point where progress slows because too much has to pass through it
- a deal breakera fact or condition that makes you refuse to accept an agreement
- a dog-eat-dog worlda situation where people compete hard and will harm others to succeed