in the books
Made a matter
In the books means officially recorded, finalized, or completed.
The phrase evokes ledgers where transactions become permanent once entered: Once this sale is in the books, we're done for the quarter.
In sports, a game that's in the books is over: That's another win in the books.
The phrase often marks closure or achievement: With finals in the books, summer can finally begin.
- finishedBrought to an end
- archivedStored for posterity
- recordedCaptured for posterity
- wrapped upFinished or warmly covered
- done dealFinalized, irreversible agreement
concluded · logged · signed off · signed and sealed · filed · stored · put to bed · cataloged · registered · completed · done · accomplished · documented · closed · resolved · indexed · set in stone · settled
in the booksoff the books
Unreported to authorities
off the record · unrecorded · undocumented · unofficial · under the table
in the booksongoing
In progress now
pending · in progress · unfinished · up in the air · open
in the booksunder the table
Without official documentation
off the books · undeclared · hidden · cooked · black market
the, books, book, booked, booking, bookish, booklet, bookkeeper, bookkeeping