on the books
Legally in effect
On the books means officially recorded or registered.
Laws on the books are formally enacted, even if rarely enforced: The statute is still on the books but hasn't been used in decades.
Employees on the books are officially documented, as opposed to being paid under the table.
The phrase often highlights the gap between what's official and what's practiced.
- registeredFormally recorded or enrolled
- statuteEnacted written rule
- accounted forProvided explanation or justification
- documentedPreserved in official records
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
file · ledger · enactment · employed · certified · hired · roster · in effect · law · legal code · decree · staff · salaried · payroll · binding · established · endorsed · validated
on the booksoff the books
Unreported to authorities
under the table · unofficial · unrecorded · undocumented · cash in hand
on the booksoff the books
Unreported to authorities
under the table · untaxed · undeclared · unreported · black market
on the booksrepealed
Officially withdrawn from effect
struck down · unenforced · dead letter · off the books · nullified
book, books, booked, booking, bookish, storybook, e-book, bookkeeper, bookings