Throw the book at definition and synonyms of throw the book. The origin of the phrase is well documented in the oed. The phrase a stones throw is taken from the idea that a stone may only be thrown a short distance. The judge let me off with a warning after two speeding tickets. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book at. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by. Throw the book at throw the book at meaning english idioms throw the book at examples. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by oxford. Anyone know the origin of the idiom or phrase throw the book at em.
Throwthebookat meaning best 2 definitions of throw. Throw the book at him idioms by the free dictionary. The book is an imaginary book of rules or of offences and their prescribed penalties. Throw the book at throw the book at meaning english. To apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker. If you throw the book at someone, you punish them very severely, as in the local authorities have warned people in the area that they will throw the book. The phrase includes the word book that means the book of the law including all the penalties that can be imposed on someone. To make as many charges as possible against an offender. Nov, 2015 what does the idiom throw the book at mean.
Hopefully, evidence will be clear about the incident. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book. To give someone the maximum sentence for a crime or penalize very harshly. Cast usually refers to throwing something light, often in discarding it. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers. Samantha was fired from her job because of her irresponsible act but i think that really was throwing the book at her. If you make your bed and lie in it, it means you accept the consequences of your. Throw the book at synonyms 720 words and phrases for throw. People who throw their weight around use their authority to tell other people what to do in a rude and unpleasant way.
Throw at definition of throw at by the free dictionary. Bbc world service learning english the flatmates language. The phrase throw the book at them refers to charging a persons with everything they were arrested for and was recorded in the book. Therefore, the imagery of throwing a book at someone is one of a judge throwing a book of laws at a criminal as a punishment. Throw the book at meaning of throw the book at in the english dictionary with examples of use. If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to be as strict as possible. If you throw the book at someone, you punish them as severely as possible. The distance discussed in the idiom a stones throw is not a definite measurement. Now imagine that book is thrown by the judge to someone guilt of something and hitting him or her in the worse possible manner. Throw your hat into the ring meaning in the cambridge. Phrase with special meaning functioning as verbfor example, put their heads together, come to an end.
Synonyms for throw the book at other words and phrases for throw the book at. Mcgrawhill dictionary of american idioms and phrasal verbs. The term comes from a legal one meaning to sentence an offender to the maximum penalties allowed, the book. Synonyms for throw the book at include chastise, scold, berate, reprimand, lecture, rebuke, castigate, upbraid, censure and chide. A general name given to every literary composition which is printed. Throw the book at means to charge someone with everything they can be legally charged with. Punish or reprimand severely, as in i just knew the professor would throw the book at me for being late with my paper. What does the phrase throw yourself over somebody mean. Living by the book means you follow the rules and obey the laws. I think the da wanted to appear tough on crime, since shes seeking reelection. Spanish translation of to throw the book at sb the official collins englishspanish dictionary online. It started with the slang phrase used by american prisoners doing the book, meaning serving the maximum time for a given offense presumably because the maximum time is the one specified in the law book. Synonyms and related words definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. According to etymonline the saying dates back to 1932 and refers to a law book during sentencing.
She cast the unpleasant, pricking garments from her kate chopin. If you throw the book at someone, you punish them very severely, as in the local authorities have warned people in the area that they will throw the book at anyone caught vandalizing war memorials. Throw the book at someone phrase definition and synonyms. To make all possible charges against a lawbreaker, for example. You may have gotten off lightly in the past, benny, but this time were going to throw the book at you. Throw the book at them, take points off them, punish them appropriately by doing.
Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge english. The judge was not lenient he threw the book at him. It started with the slang phrase used by american prisoners doing the book, meaning serving the maximum time for a given offense presumably because the maximum time is the one specified in the law book 1928 r. A stones throw is an idiom that has been in use since the 1500s, though its popularity grew in the 1700s. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by the. Throw the book at definition is to punish someone as severely as possible. Tasker grimhaven 1929 im doing one life jolt, and two onetofiftysyes sir, doing the book. This expression originally meant sentence a convicted person to the maximum penalties allowed, the book being the roster of applicable laws. This was basically the image of the writer who introduced this idiom. Throw the book at sb meaning in the cambridge english. I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. Jul 25, 2010 the book as well as having all the prisoners offences, commonly had a list of legislated offences like a very washed down law book to aid the sergeant. If youre interested, we could throw the book at him. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge.
Idiom definition to throw the book at to punish or criticize someone as severely as possible. Spanish translation of to throw the book at sb collins. Throw the book at legal definition of throw the book at. Throw the book at synonyms 720 words and phrases for. Throw the book at someone definition in the cambridge. Throwthebookat meaning best 2 definitions of throwthe. Meaning of throw the book at someone in english throw the book at someone to punish someone as severely as possible. Yes, throw the book at someone is an idiom, but it is not related to going. Throw the book at someone definition and meaning collins. Throw the baby out with the bathwater the meaning and origin of this phrase. My friend threw a monkey wrench into our plans to go to the lake for the summer. The expression dates from the 1930s and is of american origin. To throw the book at someone is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments.
The detective had always done things by the book, but for this case, he had to throw the book away. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal meaning. To throw the book at someone definition and meaning collins. This expression originated in the first half of the 1900s. But the next time, shes going to throw the book at me. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at at. After his third offense, the judge threw the book at the criminal, making parole all but an impossibility. They threw the book at him and he got sent to prison. The role of dictionary use in the comprehension of idiom.
The book referenced in this idiom refers to a book of laws or rules. Throw definition in the cambridge english dictionary. The boys mother threw a fit when she heard about his problems at school. And last week, in the runup to his visit, the kremlin was continuing to throw the book at the company. If the charges are proved, throw the book at the perpetrators, but not until. Origin and sense of throw to the wolves as user66974s answer indicates, christine ammer, the american heritage dictionary of idioms, second edition 20 associates throw someone to the wolves with one of aesops fables.
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