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Region: US | Usage example: The judge threw the book at the contractor for fraud.

Throw the book at

Meaning

Punish severely by applying all available rules.

Usage

Describes harsh legal or regulatory action.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Refers to using the full text of the law.

American legal reporting in the early 1900s used the phrase.

Related Idioms

Throw you under the bus

Blame or sacrifice someone else to save oneself.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.

A stone's throw

A very short distance.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Barking up the wrong tree

Accusing or pursuing the wrong person/idea; making a false assumption.