Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by the. Formal definition an idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words e. The expression dates from the 1930s and is of american origin. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare english idioms. He has angered the powerful in many capitals, and they have used these allegations to throw the book at him. Throw the book at him idioms by the free dictionary. See bookshelf dominoes, for when bookshelves are a weapon. I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. The judge throws the book at him when he finally goes to bat. To make as many charges as possible against an offender.
By another definition, an idiom is a speech form or an expression of a given language that is peculiar to itself grammatically or. The judge was not lenient he threw the book at him. If a teacher does anything wrong, they throw the book at him. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge english. Define throw the book at someone phrase and get synonyms.
Whats the origin of the phrase throw the book at him. Jul 28, 2009 throw the book at someone, to charge them with a particular offence. Definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. If the book is only used to show the characters angry, see book snap. Throw about definition is to go in a different direction. By the book definition, a handwritten or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of paper fastened or bound together within covers. Throw the book at em posted by masakim on february 25, 2003. Learn this english idiom along with other words and phrases. Dont throw the baby out with the bathwater wikipedia. Cruel as it may seem, it gets him to college on time. Some laws or rules can be somewhat lenient, depending on the judge or person in charge. Give at least three sample sentences to illustrate how the expression is used in context. To read someone like a book is to know what that person means or intends, simply by observing the persons.
The judge let me off with a warning after two speeding tickets. Throw the book at definition is to punish someone as severely as possible. Even though there are rumours that the company is in trouble we plan to stick it out through thick and thin. Because idioms dont always make sense literally, youll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. He accuses me of causing the computer problem but i was away at the time. Jan 29, 2016 the book in throw the book at him is a reference to a lawbook. English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday english. Throw about definition of throw about by merriamwebster. Out of the way 1 out of the way 2 out of the way 3 out of this world. Nov, 2015 what does the idiom throw the book at mean.
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. To propel through the air with a motion of the hand or arm. Learn these idioms to improve your vocabulary and help your english sound more like a native. This expression is not an idiom, since its meaning can be guessed from the words in it. The big book of idioms and phrases is a quick reference guide to idiomatic expressions that explains the meanings of each idiom, and some examples. Throw the book at someone throw someone under the bus throw your hat into the ring thumb your nose tickled to death tickling the ivories tide you over tie the knot time and tide wait for no man in a timely fashion a tinkers dam tinkled pink the tipping point tis the season toe the line tongue tied toodle loo too much of good thing tough. We have an expression the judge threw the book at him meaning the law book.
Synonyms for throw book at include incarcerate, confine, imprison, intern, gaol, jail, detain, immure, lock up and hold. This english idiom is used in a legal context, and it is connected with a trial. From the curve ball in baseball, where a spin is employed to adjust the path of the ball unexpectedly. An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. She throw cold water on the activity by saying that she will not be participating. List of common short sayings and idiomatic expressions in english with meaning, esl pictures and example sentences. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book at. According to etymonline the saying dates back to 1932 and refers to a law book during sentencing. 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. Idioms and phrases are being taught in elementary and high school as part of the curriculum for the english language subjects. Be optomistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. Change your default dictionary to american english. I often pour cold water on my sons head to wake him up completely.
Throw dictionary meaning, references, synonyms, hypernyms. An idioms figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. The earliest record of this phrase is in 1512, in narrenbeschworung appeal to fools by thomas murner. Sep 14, 2011 this expression is not an idiom, since its meaning can be guessed from the words in it. Definition of throw the book at in the idioms dictionary. Oct 01, 2019 from the curve ball in baseball, where a spin is employed to adjust the path of the ball unexpectedly. The disciplinary board threw the book at him for the derogatory tirade he.
After his third offense, the judge threw the book at the criminal, making parole all but an impossibility. To throw the book at someone is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments. It is a common catchphrase in german, with examples of its use in work by martin luther, johannes. To apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers. But the next time, shes going to throw the book at me. He has been acting like an ape ever since his girlfriend left him. Even though today the idiom is frequently used as please pay attention, in its original meaning the idiom was a polite way to ask a person present at the conversation to entirely skip it and let the other two share a secret basically, im giving you an earring so that you keep quiet about our secret. 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. However, the judge wanted to make an example out of him, so he threw the book at him. Sep 12, 2018 learn idiom definition, idiom examples, history of idioms and why we use them in everyday conversations. It is a common catchphrase in german, with examples of its use. I guess a milder punishment would be to read the riot act to, or severely scold the defendants. This idiom allegedly comes from a time when the household bathed in the same water.
Idioms are very much entrenched in the culture of a country and each country has its own set of idioms derived from its culture and its language. My best friend has supported me through thick and thin. This is the british english definition of throw the book at someone. If the authorities throw the book at someone, they are not in an enviable position. Etymology and meaning of to throw a bean ball at someone. An idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal, meaning. Best book of idioms with their meanings for your daily life. To give someone the maximum sentence for a crime or penalize very harshly. Throw the book at em posted by masakim on february 25, 2003 i guess a milder punishment would be to read the riot act to, or severely scold the defendants. It means to punish someone to the fullest extent allowed by law. To throw the book at someone definition and meaning. What does it mean to throw the kitchen sink at something.
To punish someone as much as the laws or rules allow. They come up all the time in both written and spoken english. Define and explain it in understandable words including synonyms. Speak of the devil and he shall appear tell it to the marines. If you really loved him you would have stuck by him through thick and thin. Idioms occur in all languages on every continent throughout. Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale.
You may have gotten off lightly in the past, benny, but this time were going to throw the book at you. Definition of throw the book at him in the idioms dictionary. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by merriam. View american english definition of throw the book at someone. Times, sunday times 2010 if ever there were a golden opportunity to throw the book at him that is, ban him from such an important role, this was it. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge. Throw the book at someone definition in the cambridge.
Throw the book at someone, to charge them with a particular offence. The book is an imaginary book of rules or of offences and their prescribed penalties. Throw the book at someone definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. The book in throw the book at him is a reference to a lawbook.
To throw the book at someone definition and meaning collins. Learn idiom definition, idiom examples, history of idioms and why we use them in everyday conversations. Idioms are often used to communicate things more forcefully and memorably. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by. The judge threatened to throw the book at me if i didnt stop. If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to be as strict as possible. Anyone know the origin of the idiom or phrase throw the book at em. The book referenced in this idiom refers to a book of laws or rules. Throw the book at someone phrase definition and synonyms. If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to.
May 04, 2019 we have an expression the judge threw the book at him meaning the law book. Synonyms for throw the book at include chastise, scold, berate, reprimand, lecture, rebuke, castigate, upbraid, censure and chide. I had not the vaguest idea what this meant and when i could not remember the words, my tutor threw the book at my head, which did not stimulate my intellect in any way. The phrases in these three examples are known as idioms. It is possible to use this expression for any type of punishment for which there are rules. My husband has supported liverpool through thick and thin. A softer version of throw a barrel at it note that this is. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book.
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