English Explanatory Dictionary

throw the book at

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To charge with or convict of as many crimes as possible.
To apply the harshest possible punishment to.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see throw, the, book, at.

Pronunciation

En-au-throw the book at.ogg

Word forms

throw the book at throws the book at throwing the book at threw the book at thrown the book at

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.

Synonyms

throw the rulebook at

← throw stones
← throw stones in a glass house
← throw tantrums
← throw the baby out with the bath water
← throw the baby out with the bathwater

throw the bull →
throw the bull around →
throw the handkerchief →
throw the hatchet →
throw the rulebook at →

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