do a book on something—write a book on a subject:
- William Fox is doing a book on the way the environment impacts our evolution and perception.
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase write the book on something—
1. = do a book on something:
- Because I had developed a big respect for Perret when he wrote the book on Grant, I read his book on President Kennedy.
2. (U.S. coll.) be the expert or the final authority on smth.:
- Cathy has spent years learning the intricacies of producing prize-winning Dalmatians. You could even say she wrote the book on it…
make a book on something—
1. create a book on smth.:
- We thought if we’re going to make a book on cooking, it ought to benefit people who could use more food.
2. (Bookmakers) take bets on certain contests:
- Bookmakers do as their name suggests, that is they make a book on the outcome of an event.
3. (coll.) be certain of smth.; feel confident about smth.:
- “Do you think they’ll be funnier in print than they were on TV?” “I wouldn’t make a book on it!”
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make a book of something—represent a particular sort of book:
- The letters of Lord Chesterfield make a book of the minor moralities, and the major immoralities of life.