Read between the lines means understanding what someone isn't saying directly. A colleague doesn't refuse the meeting but mentions the early train twice: reading between the lines, the time doesn't suit them. It works for messages and conversations. Reading between the lines, I think... is a handy way to share a guess gently.
When would you say read between the lines?
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read between the lines of a message; Reading between the lines, I think...
- Reading between the lines, I think the team needs more time to prepare.
- You have to read between the lines of the announcement to understand why the plan changed.
- I read between the lines of her reply and wondered whether she preferred the other venue.
What changed
First versionYou need to read between lines to understand his hesitation.
RevisionYou need to read between the lines to understand his hesitation.
Between lines sounds general enough, any lines at all. But in the idiom the lines are specific, the ones in this message or conversation: read between the lines. The was added.
Read carefully means paying attention to what is written. Read between the lines means understanding what isn't written. A gut feeling is instinct with no words to go on: I had a gut feeling something was wrong. Reading between the lines relies on real hints.
Your turn
She did not refuse directly, but reading ___ the lines, I think she wants a different date.
Show the answer
between — The idiom only uses between: read between the lines. Among means in a group of, and it isn't used in this image.
Write about a message where you understood something the person didn't say directly.
Reading between the lines of his reply, I think the early start is the problem because he mentions the first train twice.
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