judge a book by its cover

تعریف و معنای "judge a book by its cover"

to judge a book by its cover

از روی ظاهر قضاوت کردن

to form an opinion or make a judgment about something or someone based solely on its outward appearance or initial impression

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "judge a book by its cover" and when to use it?

The idiom "judge a book by its cover" originated from the literal act of forming an opinion or making an assessment about a book based solely on its outer appearance, without considering its content or true value. Figuratively, it signifies the tendency of people to form hasty judgments or make assumptions about someone or something based on superficial or initial impressions. In other words, this phrase is used to emphasize the importance of looking beyond outward appearances and taking the time to understand the true nature or qualities of a person or thing before making a judgment.

Example

Do n't judge a book by its cover; she may seem reserved, but she has a wealth of knowledge and experiences to share.

The dilapidated storefront may not look appealing, but do n't judge a book by its cover — the food inside is absolutely delicious.

He appeared confident and put-together, but when I got to know him better, I realized I had judged a book by its cover; he was actually quite insecure.