Struggling with writer’s block? These writing idioms will get your mind flowing again.
In this list we cover English idioms about writing, writers, letters, and even paper. We have also included a few proverbs on these topics! All of these phrases include a definition and example sentences to help you learn how to use them.
So, pen at the ready, and let’s go!
Writing idioms
Get it in writing
You’ll hear people use the expression get it in writing when they want to have physical proof of an agreement. They don’t just want to rely on a handshake or verbal agreement.
“Unless you get it in writing, I can’t proceed with the deal.”
Related to this, someone may ask you to put it in writing when you are forming an agreement.
Wet signature
Similar to the expression above, sometimes you are required to sign something with a wet signature (as opposed to an e-signature). This means that you must physically sign with a pen or other writing implement.
“That bank is so old-fashioned; they need a wet signature for me to open an account.”
Handwriting like chicken scratch
Hopefully, no one says you have handwriting like chicken scratch. It’s a way of describing someone’s writing as very messy – even illegible – like the dirt marks chickens make!
“My doctor has handwriting like chichen scratch and the pharmacist couldn’t understand it.”
Yes – doctors are notorious for their bad handwriting, but have you ever wondered why?
Paper trail
You may hear this phrase in your favorite police drama show. A paper trail is a series of records and documents that can be used to track someone’s activities. When the police are looking for a criminal, they can follow phone records, financial reports, diary entries or even video footage to locate the person.
“We just followed the paper trail and found the missing money.”
Even though these records may be mainly electronic nowadays, we still refer to it as a ‘paper trail’.
Poison-pen letter
A poison-pen letter is not a very nice thing to write or receive. It’s a letter or note that is very mean-spirited, critical or even malicious. It isn’t usually signed by the sender.
“I can’t belive someone left a poison-pen letter on my car.”
Open book
To describe someone as an open book is to say that they are easy to get to know. They don’t withhold information or keep secrets, so you can learn a lot about them and their nature.
“Jo at reception is an open book. I find her really easy to get to know.”
We have more expressions about friendship and getting to know people on a separate page.
It’s not worth the paper it’s written/printed on
Sadly, some of these writing idioms are about deception and being tricked. When people describe an agreement, contract signing, guarantee or promise as not (being) worth the paper it’s written on, they are saying that the agreement is worthless.
“This contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. I’m afraid you’re going to lose your money.”
Not worth writing home about
When something is of little interest, rather dull or unremarkable, you could say that it’s not worth writing home about. In other words, there is no exciting news to report.
“My weekend wasn’t worth writing home about. What about you?”
Don’t forget to write
This is one of the more dated idioms about writing. Traditionally, when people went on holiday they would write postcards to friends and family back home. So, as a clichéd farewell, people will remind you, don’t forget to write. There are some more modern travel idioms you can use, too.
“Have a wonderful holiday and don’t forget to write.”
A word of warning: this expression can also be used in a sarcastic way when someone is happy you are leaving!
The oldest trick in the book
The oldest trick in the book is a form of deception or trickery, or a way of solving a problem, that has been done for a long time and still works well.
“Were you really expecting a new iPhone for that price from a guy on the street?! It’s the oldest trick in the book!”
“I always go for a run whilst the family are still sleeping. It’s the oldest trick in the book to make sure I still get a run in.”
When this expression is used in reference to some kind of deception, there is also the suggestion that nobody should be naive enough to fall for the trick as it has been around for so long. So, if you do get tricked in this way, it’s your own fault for being gullible.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
This is such a popular phrase and a really great piece of advice. You should never judge a book by its cover as you are basing your opinions of someone or something purely on what you see on the outside.
“I was so shocked when my 92-year-old grandfather started breakdancing at the wedding. Guess you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover!”
Idioms about writing
Put pen to paper
This idiom about writing could be losing relevance, since most writing nowadays is done electronically. Still, to instruct someone to put pen to paper is to tell them it’s time to start writing.
“Ok boys and girls, the exam has started to it’s time to put pen to paper. Good luck.”
“Writing a novel may seem daunting but it just begins with putting pen to paper.”
The writing is on the wall
A lot of these idioms about writing are forms of warning or guidance, and this one is no exception! When there are strong indications that something bad is about to happen, people will warn that the writing is on the wall.
“Our sales are down and they’ve just transfered calls to another team. I guess the writing is on the wall and we’ll be fired soon.”
Did you know this is one of many idioms that come from the Bible?
Paper over the cracks
In a literal form, to paper over cracks would be to cover defects in a wall by decorating over them. As an idiom, it tells us that someone is trying to hide or gloss over problems, issues, or disagreements.
“Listen, just paper over the cracks and we’ll sort it out after the presentation.”
Take a leaf out of someone’s book
When someone suggests that you take a leaf (or a page) out of someone’s book they are saying that you should do the same as them or follow their example.
“Why don’t you take a leaf out of your brother’s book? He’s just graduated from college.”
There are lots more idioms about books for you to discover here.
Pen pusher / Paper pusher
Writing idioms can be used in so many different ways. This one describes the type of job someone has. A pen pusher or paper pusher is someone who has a low-level administrative job that isn’t very interesting or significant.
It probably involves a lot of form-filling, filing or repetitive paperwork.
“Just ignore Micky, he’s only a paper pusher and has no real say in what happens.”
The pen is mightier than the sword
This is such an inspiring writer idiom, and perhaps an important idiom for kids to learn. The meaning behind the expression the pen is mightier than the sword is that writing is better than fighting.
Why so? Well, when you write something, people will read your words and you can influence or inspire them. Or it could be saying that communicating solves more problems than going to war. Basically, being intellectual is better than being physically aggressive, according to this saying.
“I wrote a letter to the President as I believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.”
Give someone their walking papers
Although there are a few positive idioms about writing, this one isn’t so good. To give someone their walking papers is to fire them from a job or ask them to leave a place or situation.
“Well, that’s that. I was given my walking papers on Friday.”
In British English, you may hear a similar phrase – to give someone their marching orders – which means the same thing.
The ink isn’t even dry yet / the ink’s still wet
You would use the saying the ink isn’t even dry yet or the ink is still wet to comment on something happening immediately after an agreement or legal document is signed.
A good example is someone getting re-married just after signing their divorce papers.
“The ink was still wet on the contract for the new car and he backed it into a wall!”
“The ink isn’t even dry on your employment contract and you’re already thinking of leaving?!”
Even if nothing was physically signed, this phrase can be used figuratively.
Write a bum check (cheque)
Have you ever written a check to make a payment? Checks are being phased out in most places, but here is a full explanation of how they used to work.
To write a bum check (or ‘cheque’ in British English) is to issue a check to someone even though there isn’t enough money in the account to cover it. Since it takes a few days for a check to clear, there would be no way for the seller to know that you didn’t have the funds to make the payment. It’s no surprise that other payment methods are taking over!
“Just make sure you don’t write a bum check again.”
Discover some more idioms about money here.
Write someone up / Write someone a ticket
This writing expression is predominantly used with reference to police officers, although you may hear it in a work context too. When you write someone up you are reporting them for a wrong action they have done.
The similar idiom, write someone a ticket, would usually refer to a parking or speeding ticket resulting in a fine.
“Sue, you know you can’t enter here without a permit! I’m going to have to write you up.”
“I begged the policeman not to write me a ticket, but he wouldn’t listen.”
Writer’s block
This is a perfect idiom about writing to end on! The reason for this is that when someone suffers from writer’s block they simply can’t think of anything else to write.
“I tried so hard to finish my essay last night but by 11pm I got writer’s block and had to stop.”
“Do you have any tips for dealing with writer’s block?”
Hopefully, this list of writing idioms has helped you not only to understand them better but also to be a little more creative in your own writing.
Are there any others you have heard of that we could add to this list? Leave a comment to let us know.
