crack a book

USAGE SUMMARY

"crack a book" is correct and usable written English.
You can use it as a figure of speech to refer to initiating an activity or starting work. For example: "It's time to crack a book and get to studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Tucked behind Lincoln Center, it is seen as the place pushy stage mothers and chain-smoking managers send their child stars so they can continue their careers without having to crack a book.

The New York Times

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet The intended customer for Isabel Marant's latest efforts — baggy tweed men's jackets that might have been found at a thrift shop, saucy gold sequined shorts — is a well-heeled young lady who is studying for the LSATs or the baccalauréat, and, judging by the models' sullen expressions, is none too happy to crack a book.

The New Yorker

The intended customer for Isabel Marant's latest efforts — baggy tweed men's jackets that might have been found at a thrift shop, saucy gold sequined shorts — is a well-heeled young lady who is studying for the LSATs or the baccalauréat, and, judging by the models' sullen expressions, is none too happy to crack a book.

The New Yorker

Popular feminism's refusal to grasp what is actually a brilliant and elegant concept looks more and more like Friedan's demonisation of the Lavender Menace: a privileged minority persistently embarrassing itself by refusing to crack a book sometime, wandering around with its eyes closed banging off the walls.

The Guardian - Opinion

The intended customer for Isabel Marant's latest efforts baggy tweed men's jackets that might have been found at a thrift shop, saucy gold sequined shorts is a well-heeled young lady who is studying for the LSATs or the baccalauréat, and, judging by the models' sullen expressions, is none too happy to crack a book.

The New Yorker

If you're missing something in immunology, for instance, you crack a book or go down the hall and talk to an immunologist.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"I hated to read, never cracked a book," he said.

The New York Times

He never cracked a book, and he quoted freely and affectionately, from memory, from every piece of literature he taught.

The New York Times

"I went all the way through high school and I don't think I cracked a book once," he said one day, looking wistfully off in the distance from a bleacher seat at Fort Knox.

The New York Times

Robert Frost and T. S. Eliot were iconic figures, even to people who never cracked a book, and so, in her old age, was Marianne Moore; what Robert Lowell wrote about the war in Vietnam or black civil rights or his marriage or his madness was news.

The New Yorker

Faced with a college generation of rogues and vixens with the bodies of models (no one is shown cracking a book or even turning on a computer), it is a shocked Hollywood tastemaker's obligation to be stern while keeping one eye glued to the keyhole.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crack a book" when you want to informally convey the act of starting to study or read, especially when emphasizing the effort or intention behind it.

Common error

Avoid using "crack a book" in formal academic or professional settings. Opt for more direct phrases like "begin studying" or "start reading" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crack a book" is as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it's usable written English. It functions as a verb indicating the initiation of studying or reading.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Science & Research

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crack a book" is an idiomatic phrase that means to start studying or reading. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, although it's considered informal. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "begin studying" or "start reading". Remember to use "crack a book" when you want to informally express the act of starting to study and want to emphasize the effort behind it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit the books

Replaces "crack" with "hit", maintaining the informal sense of beginning to study.

get down to studying

Highlights the commitment and effort involved in studying.

start studying

A more literal and straightforward way of saying the same thing.

turn to one's studies

Focuses on the act of dedicating time to academic work.

open a book to study

More verbose, specifying the action and purpose.

begin reading

Focuses on the act of reading rather than the intention to study.

settle down to read

Suggests a more relaxed or comfortable approach to reading.

delve into a book

Implies a deeper level of engagement with the material.

immerse oneself in a book

Emphasizes deep engagement and absorption in the reading material.

apply oneself to study

A more formal way of expressing dedication to studying.

FAQs

What does it mean to "crack a book"?

To "crack a book" means to open a book and begin studying or reading, usually with the intention of learning something.

How can I use "crack a book" in a sentence?

You might say, "I need to "crack a book" tonight to prepare for my exam" or "He never "cracked a book", yet he still passed the test".

What are some alternatives to "crack a book"?

Alternatives include "start studying", "hit the books", or "begin reading". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "crack a book" in formal writing?

No, "crack a book" is an informal idiom. In formal writing, it's better to use more direct and professional phrases like "begin studying" or "engage with the material".