B2idiomcommunicationIELTS-friendly
read between the lines
USUK
to understand what someone really means, even though they do not say it directly
Used about emails, speeches and news that hint at more than they say.
In context
Her email sounded polite, but if you read between the lines, she was really angry.
Reading between the lines, I think the company is planning to cut jobs.
Common mistake
Incorrect: You need to read between lines.
Correct: You need to read between the lines.
More idioms about communication
- a moot pointUK: a question still open to argument. US: a question that no longer matters in practice.
- beat around the bushto avoid saying something directly, usually because it is uncomfortable
- get the wrong end of the stickto understand something in the wrong way
- get to the pointto start talking about the most important part of a subject
- get your point acrossto make other people understand what you are trying to say