Home phrase and idiom dictionary what does throw the book at someone. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge english. Throw the book at throw the book at meaning english. Throw the book at definition is to punish someone as severely as possible. To punish someone as much as the laws or rules allow. Please tell us where you read or heard it including the quote, if possible. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book at. What does the idiom throw the book at someone mean answers. Throw the book at someone idioms by the free dictionary. Jul 10, 2016 image categories idioms, senza categoria tags english idiom, esl, femfy, free english materials for you, idiom, idioms, quit, stop, throw in the towel, throwing in the towel tie the knot english idiom. Best idiom synonyms for throw book at related to assail are cast aspersions upon, cast doubt upon and cut to shreds. Idiom examples dictionary definitions you can understand. Some laws or rules can be somewhat lenient, depending on the judge or person in charge. The expression dates from the 1930s and is of american origin.
The related idiom to knock someonesomething for a loop has the same meaning. Learn definitions, uses, and phrases with throw the book. This was basically the image of the writer who introduced this idiom. The main idea is that things are going well, circumstances are good, and suddenly something unexpected happens that causes trouble, confusion, surprise, or. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by merriam. To apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker. Definition of throw the book at someone in the idioms dictionary. I dont know why you are so upset, you are the one who threw down the gauntlet. Throw the book is contained in 1 match in merriamwebster dictionary. Throw someone under the bus english phrases and idioms.
Theyll make you pay a fine, and if you dont do that, theyll take you to court. He has never worked in the hr department before but when the department head left unexpectedly, he took up the gauntlet. What does throw the book at someone expression mean. Throw someone in at the deep end to make someone deal with something difficult without preparing them for it. To throw the book at someone is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments. Our fleece throw designs are professionally printed with premium inks, so your unique design will look great. To throw the book at someone definition and meaning collins. When it comes to the rights of animals, we are always willing to throw down the gauntlet. Explanation for the throw the book at someone phrase in the. Throw cast caution to the winds to stop being careful and do something that you know has risks. Have throw a fit t o get very angry and shout or become violent. In a childrens book, you d want to avoid advanced idioms, such as acid test or sputnik moment. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by the. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book.
Nov, 2015 what does the idiom throw the book at mean. Definition of throw the book at me in the idioms dictionary. Throw the book at someone definition in the cambridge. But the next time, shes going to throw the book at me. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge. Throwing the baby out with the bathwater has nothing to do with babies or bathwater. Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. The book is an imaginary book of rules or of offences and their prescribed penalties. Even if an idiom makes sense to you and makes you giggle a little, ask yourself if your audience will feel the same way. Jan 06, 2016 cliches are like idioms in that you cant understand the meaning of the phrase by looking at the literal meaning of each word. Throw the book at me idioms by the free dictionary.
I regret cutting off my siblings after the quarrel with my parents because that means i threw out the baby with the bathwater. Throw out definition, to propel or cast in any way, especially to project or propel from the hand by a sudden forward motion or straightening of the arm and wrist. To throw the book at someone definition and meaning. Throws the book at article about throws the book at by the. The book referenced in this idiom refers to a book of laws or rules. After his third offense, the judge threw the book at the criminal, making parole all but an impossibility. The british english form of this idiom is put a spanner i. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. The judge let me off with a warning after two speeding tickets. To make as many charges as possible against an offender. However, in this idiom, its used metaphorically to refer to members of some group that are not performing up to expectations. What is the origin of the idiom throwing the book at someone. Definition of throw the book at in the idioms dictionary. Throw the book at someone phrase meaning, pronunciation and more by macmillan dictionary.
A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers. Throw the book at definition and meaning collins english. Synonyms for throw book at 7 idioms related to assail. 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. But, after living with a certain group of people for a period of time, you ll start to pick up their expressions. The literal meaning of bum is a lazy or worthless person.
If someone in authority throws the book at someone who has committed an offence, they. 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. But the phrase doesnt actually refer to japanese currencyit refers to chinese opium, which was available in. Now they want the sfa to throw the book at the pars chairman. According to etymonline the saying dates back to 1932 and refers to a law book during sentencing. Throw the book at throw the book at meaning english idioms throw the book at examples.
Dec 12, 2015 so, today some of my friends and i had a christmas party in a small town called alice dale it was for orphans. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at at. Marty really got screwed over that jaywalking charge when the judge threw the book at him and gave him a life sentence in the federal domein the ass prison. Throw the book definition of throw the book by merriamwebster. Definition of throw the book at you in the idioms dictionary. You may have gotten off lightly in the past, benny, but this time were going to throw the book at you. Lets explore some idiom examples in american everyday language, international language, and the language of the arts. Just because you dont get what you want from people does not mean you should end communication with them and therefore throw out the baby with the bathwater.
If taken literally, you would think that someone with cold feet has cold feet. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by. Throw the book at someone definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Find 910 synonyms for throw the book at and other similar words that you can use instead based on 5 separate contexts from our thesaurus. The idiom to throw someonesomething for a loop means to cause great surprise, confusion, or astonishment. Throw the book at you idioms by the free dictionary.
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