in the books

Finished; concluded; able to be regarded as a matter of record.

The phrase "in the books" is a colloquial expression that means that something is completed or finalized, often referring to an event or a task that has been accomplished and recorded.

The phrase has its roots in accounting, where transactions and other financial activities are recorded in books, such as ledgers or accounting books. When a transaction is complete and recorded, it is said to be "in the books" and is considered finalized.

In a more general sense, "in the books" can refer to any completed task, accomplishment, or event that has been documented or recorded in some way. For example, if a company successfully completes a project, the project is "in the books" once it is documented and recorded. Similarly, if a student finishes their final exams, they might say that their academic career is "in the books."

Overall, the phrase "in the books" implies a sense of finality or closure, suggesting that something has been completed, recorded, and is now officially finished.