The idiom "read between the lines" means to understand the hidden or implied meaning in a message or communication. It means to look beyond the literal or obvious meaning of the words and try to understand the speaker's or writer's true intentions or feelings.
For example, if someone says "I'm fine" but their tone of voice or body language suggests otherwise, you might say "I think there's more to it than that. I need to read between the lines to understand what's really going on."
This idiom is often used when someone is trying to convey a message indirectly or subtly, or when there is an underlying message that is not explicitly stated. It can also be used when someone is trying to hide their true feelings or intentions.
In summary, "read between the lines" means to interpret a message beyond its literal meaning and to understand the hidden or implied meaning.
• The politician's speech was full of vague promises, but if you read between the lines, you could see that he had no concrete plan for the country's development.
• When I read the job description, I realized that the company was looking for someone with experience, but they didn't mention it explicitly. I had to read between the lines to understand that.
• The novel had a complex plot, and to fully understand it, I had to read between the lines and pay attention to the minor details.
• The contracts were full of legal jargon, but our lawyer was able to read between the lines and point out the clauses that were not in our best interest.
• I didn't understand the message clearly, so I need to read between the lines to find out what my friend actually meant.
• The CEO's statement was carefully crafted, but the journalist was able to read between the lines and expose the unethical practices of the company.