What Does "Read Between the Lines" Mean?
"Read between the lines" is an English idiom. It means "to understand a deeper or hidden meaning in something that is said or written; to perceive what is not explicitly stated."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "read between the lines" used in a sentence:- When reading between the lines of his speech, it was clear that he had reservations about the proposal.
- Her subtle hints in the email made it possible to read between the lines and discern her true feelings.
- Reading between the lines of the novel revealed the author's underlying social commentary.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Read Between the Lines" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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