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throw the book at

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throw the book at someone

Fig. to charge or convict someone with as many crimes as is possible. I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. The judge threatened to throw the book at me if I didn't stop insulting the police officer.

See also: book, throw

throw the book at somebody

to punish or criticize someone severely After several arrests for drunk driving, the judge finally threw the book at him.

See also: book, throw

throw the book at somebody

  (informal)

to punish or criticize someone as severely as possible It was the fifth time Frank had been arrested for drink-driving, so the judge threw the book at him.

See also: book, throw

throw the book at

Punish or reprimand severely, as in I just knew the professor would throw the book at me for being late with my paper. This expression originally meant "sentence a convicted person to the maximum penalties allowed," the book being the roster of applicable laws. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.

See also: book, throw

throw the book at

1. To make all possible charges against (a lawbreaker, for example).

2. To reprimand or punish severely.

See also: book, throw