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cook the books

To manipulate accounting information, esp. illegally, by a corporation.

Etymology:

  • From the mid-17th century. A metaphor based on cooking, whereby ingredients are changed, altered and improved. Thus financial statements can also be so modified to the benefit of the "cook".
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Enron Corp., once a major U.S. corporation, is now famous for cooking the books.

Submitted on September 01, 2009

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    "cook the books." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/cook-the-books_3020>.

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