The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary. Throw the book at someone idioms by the free dictionary. To throw the book at someone definition and meaning. 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. When someone hands you a flyer, its like theyre saying here you throw this away. Punish or reprimand severely, as in i just knew the professor would throw the book at me for being late with my paper. What does throw the book at someone expression mean. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by the. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by merriam. Find descriptive alternatives for throw oneself into. As far as we are concerned, we will throw the book at them and we would expect that magistrates do the same.
From longman dictionary of contemporary english throw the book at somebody throw the book at somebody informal punish to punish someone as severely as possible or charge them with as many offences as possible if you get caught theyll throw the book at you. They re light, easy to hold in your hand before you throw at maximum power and they splash and mess up the victim. Know your phrase common phrases, popular sayings, idiom list. And considering my contempt for the ivy league, i hope, you know, they throw the book at them. Some believe that hu jintao threw president obama a bone when they discussed some differences on a sensitive topic. Synonyms for throw the book at at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. The book comprises a series of scenarios where a child does something thoughtless as kids are apt to do such as throwing a soda can out the car window, running down the supermarket. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book at.
Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence. Jun 29, 2019 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 challenge to a duel. Have throw a fit t o get very angry and shout or become violent. The main idea is that things are going well, circumstances are good, and suddenly something unexpected happens that causes trouble, confusion, surprise, or.
Usually used in reference to someone having to take the blame for something that has happened. Throw oneself at someone definition of throw oneself. If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to be as strict as possible. According to etymonline the saying dates back to 1932 and refers to a law book during sentencing. Throw the book at someone, to charge them with a particular offence. Throw the book at definition is to punish someone as severely as possible. This was basically the image of the writer who introduced this idiom. Throw cast caution to the winds to stop being careful and do something that you know has risks. This concerns the roots of words and how the sounds and spellings, as well as the meanings, have evolved over time. Throw the book at him idioms and phrases the free dictionary. This figurative book is presumably a book of rules or laws. They are set to throw the book at legia who were kicked out of the champions league for fielding an ineligible player against celtic and have been fined.
If someone in authority throws the book at someone who has committed an offence, they. 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 verb definition and synonyms macmillan dictionary. The prosecuting attorneydetermined to try to get the trial judge to throw the book at him, which means give him the limit. Meaning sum of criminal charges is from 1926, hence slang phrase throw the book at 1932. After leon trotskys assassin whacked him on the head with an iceax, trotsky was still conscious enough to throw several books at his assassin.
The idiom to throw someone something for a loop means to cause great surprise, confusion, or astonishment. Top definition throw the book at unknown to give someone the maximum sentence for a crime or penalize very harshly. To throw the book at someone to punish someone severely. View american english definition of throw the book at someone. This is the british english definition of throw the book at someone. Definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers. The phrase includes the word book that means the book of the law including all the penalties that can be imposed on someone. The related idiom to knock someone something for a loop has the same meaning. 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. Throw the book at meaning of throw the book at by lexico. Evidently, the phrase that is the trope namer used to be literal.
I can never be all the people i want and live all the lives i want. Definition of throw the book at in the idioms dictionary. Heres a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. Below is an alphabetical list of widely used and repeated proverbial phrases.
Originally, and still in its normal usage, this expression meant to impose the maximum penalty. Updated with all the very latest new words and senses, this new th edition is an unparalleled resource for word lovers. To throw the book at someone is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments. You can use this list to learn about their meaning and origin. Book in definition, a handwritten or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of paper fastened or bound together within covers. The phrase throw someone a bone is an allusion to the happy dog receiving a bone. This is the british english definition of the book. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book. This expression originally meant sentence a convicted person to the maximum penalties allowed, the book being the roster of applicable laws. For criminals this is likely to mean life imprisonment. Throw the book at article about throw the book at by the.
Throw the book at someone phrase meaning, pronunciation and more by macmillan dictionary. What does the idiom throw the book at someone mean answers. The term comes from a legal one meaning to sentence an offender to the maximum penalties allowed, the book meaning the entire roster of laws and penalties applicable to the particular crime. To do something by the book according to the rules is from 1590s. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by. Find 1 synonyms for throw book at and other similar words that you can use instead based on 2 separate contexts from our thesaurus. Communicating the christian message to people who dont read. The phrase throw the book at them refers to charging a persons with everything they were arrested for and was recorded in the book. The book is an imaginary book of rules or of offences and their prescribed penalties.
The book phrase definition and synonyms macmillan dictionary. If someone in authority throws the book at someone who has committed an offence, they give the. Good question, and, it would seem, a timely one as well. After his third offense, the judge threw the book at the criminal, making parole all but an impossibility. The book referenced in this idiom refers to a book of laws or rules. Like if one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all. Explore throw quotes by authors including mitch hedberg, benjamin franklin, and erma bombeck at brainyquote. Soon, society used the phrase anytime someone got suspicious. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal meaning. What is the origin of the phrase to throw one under the bus. It means to punish or reprimand a person severely or comprehensively. Communicating the christian message to people who dont read box, harry on. You may have gotten off lightly in the past, benny, but this time were going to throw the book at you.
Examples of to throw the book at someone in a sentence. To punish someone as much as the laws or rules allow. Throw the book at synonyms, throw the book at antonyms. 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. The throw the book at them trope as used in popular culture. Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples log in dictionary. Throw the book at legal definition of throw the book at. What is the origin of the phrase throw someone under the. A lot of very different people were thrown together in the lifeboat.
I think the da wanted to appear tough on crime, since shes seeking reelection. Etymology word origins interesting phrase histories. Were going to throw the book at you, or at least some facts, from our presidential election research editorial guide. To apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker. What is the origin of the expression, to throw down the. 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 education.
To throw the book at someone definition and meaning collins. 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. Book of life the roll of those chosen for eternal life is from mid14c. Change your default dictionary to american english. Its hard to pick up a newspaper or turn on the tv these days without hearing of someone being thrown under the bus. Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expressionfor example, behind the times, on your own. Definition of throw the book at someone in the idioms dictionary. Definition of throw the book at someone from the cambridge academic content dictionary cambridge university press. I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. Whats the origin of the phrase throw the book at him. The judge was not lenient he threw the book at him. This refers to someone who has absolutely no knowledge or skill in some craft or job assignment. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at at. We have a list full of hundreds of phrases and sayings.
Simply choose a letter to start exploring, or choose one of the categories below. It means to charge or convict someone with as many crimes as possible. This expression originated in the first half of the 1900s. Find descriptive alternatives for throw the book at. Try the same thing often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful. 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 domeintheass prison. The judge let me off with a warning after two speeding tickets. To throw shade is an american idiom with its roots in the 1990s. Throw the book at definition and meaning collins english. Whenever known, the origin of the phrase or proverb is noted.
To make as many charges as possible against an offender. Throw someone in at the deep end to make someone deal with something difficult without preparing them for it. Throw the book at someone definition in the cambridge. To discover how a word came about often puts it in an entirely. Throw the book at someone phrase definition and synonyms. Throw the book at sb meaning in the cambridge english. What is the origin of the idiom throwing the book at someone. Synonyms for throw oneself into at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. Where people decide to use both words and action by hitting someone with a book really, really. 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. Words, phrases or sayings origins, meanings by brownielocks. 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.
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