noun
reading between the lines
A yojijukugo meaning the ability to perceive the deeper meaning or intent behind written words. Often used in the phrase 眼光紙背に徹する (to read between the lines thoroughly).
See also: 眼光紙背に徹する
彼の批評は眼光紙背に徹している。
His critique reads between the lines thoroughly.
この文章を理解するには眼光紙背の読みが必要だ。
To understand this text, you need to read between the lines.
A more common, everyday expression for reading between the lines, while 眼光紙背 is a formal, literary yojijukugo.
A yojijukugo composed of 眼光 (gleam in the eye, insight) and 紙背 (the back of the paper), literally meaning 'the gleam of the eye penetrates the back of the paper,' i.e., seeing beyond the surface of the text.