throw the book at someone
Meaning: To give someone the harshest penalty or punishment allowed by law, or to impose any severe sentence or punishment.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The book refers to a book of laws, and throwing it at someone means applying the maximum sentence a judge can legally impose upon a person convicted of a crime.
More idioms — Daily Life
- throw one's hat into the ring — To announce one's candidacy for elected office.
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- tie the knot — To get married.
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More English idioms
- have time on one's hands — To have free time with nothing to do.
- have time to kill — To have a period of time to pass while waiting for some future event.
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- tit for tat — An action in exchange for another equal action.
- to beat the band — In an exaggerated manner; with a lot of effort or to the extreme.
- the top of the line — The best quality.
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