throw the book at

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English

Etymology

From the metaphor of a large book, containing all the possible laws broken or punishments for a particular crime, being thrown at an offender. Attested since at least 1897.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (AU)(file)

Verb

throw the book at (third-person singular simple present throws the book at, present participle throwing the book at, simple past threw the book at, past participle thrown the book at)

  1. (transitive, idiomatic, informal) To charge with or convict of as many crimes as possible.
    • 1903 September 9, “COURT THROWS BOOK AT HIM”, in Spokesman-Review‎, Spokane, WA, page 5:
      COURT THROWS BOOK AT HIM: ... Thomas Pasco, beggar, got everything the statutes would permit Judge Binkle to give him yesterday afternoon.
  2. (transitive, idiomatic, informal) To apply the harshest possible punishment to.
    Synonym: throw the rulebook at
    • 1897 December 12, “Light Sentences for Criminals”, in Seattle Post-Intelligencer‎, Seattle, WA, page 16:
      [C]riminals ... dreaded to be brought into his court, as a conviction meant a severe sentence. As one criminal expressed it to another, "The judge throws the book at you."
    • 1926, Will James, Cowboys north and south, page 95:
      The judge, not weeping any, throws the book at him, which means he gives Bob the limit.
  3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see throw,‎ the,‎ book,‎ at.

Translations

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