The English
idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...
"don't judge a book by its cover" is a
metaphorical phrase that means one should not judge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. For example, "That man may look very small and insignificant, but don't judge a book by its cover – he's a very powerful man in his circle".
Early reference
*In
George Eliot's ''
The Mill on the Floss'' (1860), Mr. Tulliver uses the phrase in discussing
Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe (; born Daniel Foe; – 24 April 1731) was an English writer, trader, journalist, pamphleteer and spy. He is most famous for his novel ''Robinson Crusoe'', published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its ...
's ''
The History of the Devil'', saying how it was beautifully bound.
*The phrase was popularized when it appeared in the 1946 murder mystery, ''Murder in the Glass Room'', by Lester Fuller and
Edwin Rolfe: “You can never tell a book by its cover.”
See also
*
All that glitters is not gold
"All that glitters is not gold" is an aphorism stating that not everything that looks precious or true turns out to be so.
While early expressions of the idea are known from at least the 12th–13th century, the current saying is derived from a 1 ...
*
Face value
The face value, sometimes called nominal value, is the value of a coin, bond, stamp or paper money as printed on the coin, stamp or bill itself by the issuing authority.
The face value of coins, stamps, or bill is usually its legal value. Howe ...
* ''
Prima facie
''Prima facie'' (; ) is a Latin expression meaning ''at first sight'' or ''based on first impression''. The literal translation would be 'at first face' or 'at first appearance', from the feminine forms of ''primus'' ('first') and ''facies'' (' ...
''
References
English-language idioms
Metaphors referring to objects
English proverbs
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