Throw the book at someone, to charge them with a particular offence. The phrase includes the word book that means the book of the law including all the penalties that can be imposed on someone. I think the da wanted to appear tough on crime, since shes seeking reelection. Change your default dictionary to american english. This figurative book is presumably a book of rules or laws. Following up this line of investigation, major ronald ross in 1895 found that if a mosquito sucked blood containing the parasites they soon began to throw out flagellae, which broke away and became free. In judicial slang, how did the phrase throw the book at him. The book argued, using anecdotes from her own career, that spin does not work in an age of transparency, when everyone will find out the truth anyway you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig. The judge threatened to throw the book at me if i didnt stop. In this new edition, william and mary morris update and expand their classic work to keep pace with our ever changing language. But if he doesnt, im sure the government is prepared to throw the book at him. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by the. To make as many charges as possible against an offender.
Throw the book at definition, a handwritten or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of paper fastened or bound together within covers. What does it mean to throw the kitchen sink at something. The book phrase definition and synonyms macmillan dictionary. Meaning sum of criminal charges is from 1926, hence slang phrase throw the book at 1932. I suppose its best that i ask the corporation to take away my bin and. This expression originated in the first half of the 1900s.
If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to. Definition of throw the book at in the idioms dictionary. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by lexico. The disciplinary board threw the book at him for the derogatory tirade he leveled at his employees. Throw money down the drain to waste money by spending it on something useles. Etymology of phrases the origins and histories of idioms, sadinys, phrases, and other expressions are often even more fascinating than the etymologies of the individual words themselves. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers.
Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. For criminals this is likely to mean life imprisonment. A proverbial phrase or a proverbial expression is type of a conventional saying similar to proverbs and transmitted by oral tradition. Definition and synonyms of the book from the online english dictionary from macmillan. Synonyms for throw the book at include chastise, scold, berate, reprimand, lecture, rebuke, castigate, upbraid, censure and chide. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book. After his third offense, the judge threw the book at the criminal, making parole all but an impossibility. Etymology word origins interesting phrase histories. The judge looked up every law in the book that could possibly apply to what the suspect did and charged him with all those possible crimes. The phrase a stones throw is taken from the idea that a stone may only be thrown a short distance. Throw the book at idioms and phrases the free dictionary. Were going to throw the book at you, or at least some facts, from our presidential election research editorial guide. His caustic response threw me, as it seemed to come out of nowhere.
The distance discussed in the idiom a stones throw is not a definite measurement. What does the idiom throw the book at someone mean answers. According to etymonline the saying dates back to 1932 and refers to a law book during sentencing. 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. View american english definition of throw the book at someone. In judicial slang how did the phrase throw the book at him originate trivia question questions answer answers. 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.
This is the british english definition of throw the book at someone. If a teacher does anything wrong, they throw the book at him. Pigs have long been featured in proverbial expressions. To throw the book at someone is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments. The book is an imaginary book of rules or of offences and their prescribed penalties. Definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. A phrase is a group of words that express a concept and is used as a unit within a sentence.
By 2008, the phrase had become common and often controversial political invective in the united kingdom and the. I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. 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 the book at someone definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. I realize it means prosecute someone to the fullest extent of the law, a.
Heres a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. A stones throw is an idiom that has been in use since the 1500s, though its popularity grew in the 1700s. Use of this book for other than the intended purpose is not advised. Take a look at our selection of phrase examples below. To throw the book at someone to punish someone severely. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar.
Jul 28, 2009 throw the book at someone, to charge them with a particular offence. More example sentences if the charges are proved, throw the book at the perpetrators, but not until. Phrase book meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. To apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker. Throw a party to organize a party, especially in your own home. Throw the book at someone phrase definition and synonyms. The term a stones throw was first used in the wycliffes bible, published in 1526, in the book of luke, chapter twentytwo verse fortyone. The difference is that a proverb is a fixed expression, while a proverbial phrase permits alterations to fit the grammar of the context. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by merriam. The end of the book includes a short glossary of terms to help readers with certain concepts such as bel canto, leitmotif and verismo somersets book provides the tools to push vernacularity studies to a higher level, to the kind of serious scholarship the topic still needs in his book, he draws on one novel or film to illuminate each article of the apostles creed.
You may have gotten off lightly in the past, benny, but this time were going to throw the book at you. Krapp used the phrase in his 1925 book the english. Punish or reprimand severely, as in i just knew the professor would throw the book at me for being late with my paper. Throw the book at synonyms, throw the book at antonyms. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book at. To put lipstick on a pig is an expression used to convey the message that making superficial or cosmetic changes is a futile attempt to disguise the true nature of a product. The first edition of the morris dictionary of word and phrase origins detailed the fascinating and little known stories behind thousands of words and phrases that we use every day. Definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education this is the british english definition of throw the book at someone. You cant throw the book at anyone because it is happening. This was basically the image of the writer who introduced this idiom. In judicial slang, how did the phrase throw the book at. It really threw us when olivia announced she was leaving the company.
Here is a selection of wellknown expressions and how they came into being. There is always the possibility that that person will throw it back. Throw the book at him idioms and phrases the free dictionary. Whats the origin of the phrase throw the book at him. To punish someone as much as the laws or rules allow. Book of life the roll of those chosen for eternal life is from mid14c. Anyone know the origin of the idiom or phrase throw the book at em. 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. Today the phrase throw down the gauntlet means to challenge or confront someone, but in its earliest use it wasnt meant as a metaphor, but was a physical action intended to issue a formal. Decorate your house with pillows, tapestries, mugs, blankets, clocks and. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge. 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. The united states sees children killing each other in the classroom, but you cant just throw the book at them. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to.
Whenever known, the origin of the phrase or proverb is noted. 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. Originally, and still in its normal usage, this expression meant to impose the maximum penalty. Our fleece throw designs are professionally printed with premium inks, so your unique design will look great. To punish or reprimand someone as severely as possible.
Phrase with special meaning functioning as verbfor example, put their heads together, come to an end. May 04, 2019 we have an expression the judge threw the book at him meaning the law book. While it may seem like an ideal projectile, the makers of this book cannot guarantee your safety if you throw it at someone. The expression dates from the 1930s and is of american origin.
Some laws or rules can be somewhat lenient, depending on the judge or person in charge. To do something by the book according to the rules is from 1590s. Throw idioms by the free dictionary idioms and phrases. Mar 20, 2019 the figurative phrase is more than 200 years old, but the obscure etymology of a red herring is a fishy story that is itself a red herring. Definition and synonyms of the book from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Synonyms and related words definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. Discover the best travel language phrasebooks in best sellers. The origin of the phrase is well documented in the oed. Aug 29, 2018 today the phrase throw down the gauntlet means to challenge or confront someone, but in its earliest use it wasnt meant as a metaphor, but was a physical action intended to issue a formal. Throw the book at someone to punish someone very severely. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at at. The phrase throw the book at them refers to charging a persons with everything they were arrested for and was recorded in the book.
If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to be as strict as possible. The book referenced in this idiom refers to a book of laws or rules. A noun phrase consists of a noun and all its modifiers. Throw put a spanner in the works to do something that suddenly stops a process or plan. To sum up, the phrase means to charge somebody with as many.