# throw the book at

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/throw-the-book-at
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To charge with or convict of as many crimes as possible.

## Examples

- The judge will throw the book at him for the theft.
- The school principal decides to throw the book at the students who started the fire.
- The referee will throw the book at any player who hits another person.
- Because this was his third time breaking the law, the prosecutor decided to throw the book at him.
- If the police catch you driving without a license again, they will likely throw the book at you.
- The city council wants to throw the book at the landlord for ignoring all the safety regulations.
- Given the severity of the corporate fraud, the authorities vowed to throw the book at every executive involved in the scheme.

## Origin

Attested since at least 1897, the phrase derives from the metaphor of a judge hurling a volume containing every applicable law and punishment at a defendant. The book in question represents the full weight of the legal code, ensuring that the offender is not merely sentenced, but is rather buried under the collective severity of every possible statute.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.