Throw the book at someone meaning

To punish someone severely by applying the maximum penalties for their actions.


Throw the book at someone definitions

Word backwards worht eht koob ta enoemos
Part of speech The word "throw" in "throw the book at someone" is a verb.
Syllabic division throw the book at someone 1 - throw 2 - the 3 - book 4 - at 5 - some 6 - one
Plural The plural of "throw the book at someone" is "throw the book at someone." It remains the same in both singular and plural forms.
Total letters 21
Vogais (3) o,e,a
Consonants (9) t,h,r,w,b,k,s,m,n

Throw the Book at Someone

Definition:

The phrase "throw the book at someone" is a colloquial expression that means to punish or penalize someone as severely as possible. It implies that all possible charges, penalties, or punishments should be applied to the individual in question.

Origin:

This phrase originated in the early 20th century in the United States. The "book" refers to a law book or legal code that contains all the rules and regulations that govern society. When someone is said to have the book thrown at them, it means that they are being held fully accountable for their actions under the law.

Usage:

Typically, this phrase is used in a legal context when discussing the potential punishments for a crime. It is often used to emphasize the severity of the penalties that a person may face if found guilty of a particular offense. For example, a prosecutor might threaten to "throw the book" at a defendant if they do not cooperate or plead guilty.

Implications:

When someone is on the receiving end of having the book thrown at them, it means that they are likely facing the maximum possible punishment for their actions. This can include hefty fines, lengthy prison sentences, or other legal consequences that may have a significant impact on their life. It is a warning that the individual should take the situation seriously and be prepared for the consequences of their actions.

Alternatives:

There are other idiomatic expressions that convey a similar meaning to "throw the book at someone." Some alternatives include "throw the bookshelf at someone," "throw the bookcase at someone," or "throw the entire library at someone." These variations all emphasize the idea of using every possible legal punishment against a person.


Throw the book at someone Examples

  1. When the judge heard the defendant's repeated lies, they decided to throw the book at him and give him the maximum sentence.
  2. After failing to follow the company's strict safety protocols, the employee's boss warned him that if he made another mistake, she would throw the book at him.
  3. The teacher was tired of the student's disruptive behavior and finally decided to throw the book at him by giving him detention for a week.
  4. The police officer warned the suspect that if he didn't cooperate, she would have no choice but to throw the book at him and press charges.
  5. The coach was fed up with the player's bad attitude and decided to throw the book at him by benching him for the rest of the season.
  6. The landlord had enough of the tenant's constant noise complaints and threats, so she decided to throw the book at him and evict him from the property.
  7. The professor caught the student plagiarizing on their final paper and had no choice but to throw the book at him by failing him for the course.
  8. The boss found out that one of their employees had been stealing from the company and knew they had to throw the book at them by firing them on the spot.
  9. The principal warned the troublemaker student that if they continued to disrupt class, she would have to throw the book at them and suspend them for a week.
  10. The judge was known for being lenient on first-time offenders, but in this case, she had no choice but to throw the book at the criminal due to the severity of the crime.


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  • Updated 28/04/2024 - 01:07:20