If the authorities throw the book at someone, they are not in an enviable position. Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale. Read through the article to know about the examples of idiom in english language. Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by. Throwing the book at article about throwing the book at by. What does the idiom throw the book at someone mean answers. The judge threatened to throw the book at me if i didnt stop. What does throw the book at someone expression mean. The judge let me off with a warning after two speeding tickets. A set of written, printed, or blank pages fastened along one side and encased between protective covers. Throw verb definition and synonyms macmillan dictionary. Throw about definition of throw about by merriamwebster.
Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge english. Idiom definition is an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements such as up in the air for undecided or in its grammatically atypical use of words such as give way. Also, i would be interested in knowing the chinese equivalent of throw the book at him. To throw the book at someone definition and meaning. 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. According to etymonline the saying dates back to 1932 and refers to a law book during sentencing.
The intent of this slang is mean that the arrested person not receive any leniency but rather get hit hard with every law in the law book. Throw the book at someone meaning in the cambridge. Throw the book at someone, to charge them with a particular offence. The origin of the phrase is well documented in the oed. Pass the buck the meaning and origin of this phrase. View american english definition of throw the book at someone change your default dictionary to american english.
Throw the book at definition of throw the book at at. Change your default dictionary to american english. 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. 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. List of idioms from a to z with meanings and examples. Be optomistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. Definition of throw the book at someone in the idioms dictionary.
Throw someone in at the deep end to make someone deal with something difficult without preparing them for it. The book referenced in this idiom refers to a book of laws or rules. View american english definition of throw the book at someone. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal meaning. Are you sure the example in the question wasnt a literal description. Meaning of idiom all ears to be all ears means to be listening closely. What does the idiom throw the book at someone mean. Synonyms for throw the book at at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. The expression dates from the 1930s and is of american origin. A selection of idioms and their meaning, for students and english language learners to understand common phrases that have a different meaning from the individual words. A stones throw is an idiom that has been in use since the 1500s, though its popularity grew in the 1700s.
In the comment section try throw the book at him in a sentence. Brewers dictionary of phrase and fable 1981 gives the full phrase as drawing a red herring across the path, an idiom meaning to divert attention from the main question by some side issue. But the next time, shes going to throw the book at me. To throw a wrench definition and meaning collins english. To apply all possible criminal charges to a lawbreaker.
Throw the book at someone idioms by the free dictionary. Throw to the wolves is an english metaphorical idiom, meaning to sacrifice someone to save or benefit oneself or ones group. If one throws the book at someone, it means that person has decided to be as strict as possible. Throw the book at article about throw the book at by the. Look up buck in the dictionary and youll find a couple of dozen assorted nouns, verbs and adjectives. The wording in the ops question, however, suggests that the intended meaning of throw a wrinkle in there is something along the lines of add a complication to.
To pass the buck is to evade responsibility by passing it on to someone else. You may have gotten off lightly in the past, benny, but this time were going to throw the book at you. This is the british english definition of throw the book at someone. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare english idioms to the idioms in. This type of language is not meant to be taken literally in most. An idioms figurative meaning is different from the literal meaning. Nov, 2015 what does the idiom throw the book at mean.
Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the cambridge dictionary editors or of cambridge university press or its licensors. The meaning of wrinkles here is essentially strategic adjustments, or variations in the alignment or assignments of the defenders. Because idioms dont always make sense literally, youll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. It comes from the sand used in hourglasses, an ancient way of measuring time. Although the precise origin of this phrase is not known but it can be correlate with other idioms which starts with the term hit the for example hit the nail on the head or hit the sack. You must there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one thats only in the merriamwebster unabridged dictionary. These examples are from the cambridge english corpus and from sources on the web. Whats the origin of the phrase throw the book at him.
To throw the book at someone is 1932, from notion of judge sentencing a criminal from a law book full of possible punishments. Throw the book at definition is to punish someone as severely as possible. Have throw a fit t o get very angry and shout or become violent. 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. 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 at someone phrase definition and synonyms.
Sep 12, 2018 an idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a figurative, or sometimes literal, meaning. Throw cast caution to the winds to stop being careful and do something that you know has risks. If someone throws a wrench or throws a monkey wrench into a process, they prevent. Throw the book at sb meaning in the cambridge english. Throw the book at definition and meaning collins english. These idioms and phrases are compiled from cambridge.
Tasker grimhaven 1929 im doing one life jolt, and two onetofiftysyes sir, doing the book. Learn idiom definition, common idioms list in english with meaning, idiom examples and esl pictures. Its clear that this saying is a fairy contemporary one. Idioms are ideas or expressions which provide hidden meaning to words in a language. 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. 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. Jan 29, 2016 if the authorities throw the book at someone, they are not in an enviable position. Janet quitting her job because her ex started working there is a classic example of throwing out the baby with the. Throw up 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. Idioms occur in all languages on every continent throughout the world. 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. After his third offense, the judge threw the book at the criminal, making parole all but an impossibility.
Throw the book at definition of throw the book at by the. If you throw the book at someone, you punish them as severely as. If someone in authority throws the book at someone who has committed an offence, they. Jul 10, 2016 categories idioms tags dont rain on my parade, dont rain on my parade lyrics, english idiom, femfy, free english materials for you, idiom, learn english idioms, learning english, meaning of raining on someones parade, rain on someones parade, to rain on someones parade from a to z english idiom. Definition and synonyms of throw the book at someone from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. Examples of slang phrases and reference texts included. I think the da wanted to appear tough on crime, since shes seeking reelection. Native english speakers, or of any language for that matter, naturally inherit the knowledge to know what idioms mean because they have the benefit of hearing them every day as they grow up. Although no one knows the origin of the idiom hit the books, it seems to be related to early idioms such as hit the trail, which cowboys used when starting out on a journey. The book is an imaginary book of rules or of offences and their prescribed penalties. To punish someone as much as the laws or rules allow. Throw the book at throw the book at meaning english idioms throw the book at examples. Definition and synonyms of throw from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. Discover the definition of throw the book at someone in our extensive dictionary of english idioms and idiomatic expressions.
Ive been in classes where unfortunately the teacher did throw things. Find descriptive alternatives for throw the book at. Throw the book at throw the book at meaning english. The british english form of this idiom is put a spanner i. English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday english.
I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. Some laws or rules can be somewhat lenient, depending on the judge or person in charge. Definition of throw the book at in the idioms dictionary. 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. 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. Throw about definition is to go in a different direction. Throw the book at someone definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. What is the origin of the idiom throwing the book at someone. Heres a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead. The sands of time is an idiom meaning that time runs out either through something reaching an end or through a persons death. Pass the buck whats the meaning of the phrase pass the buck. They come up all the time in both written and spoken english. Throw definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Throw the book at someone definition of throw the book.
1510 1227 942 466 812 301 562 1589 736 284 1079 1232 1160 954 790 1658 1608 612 208 126 398 1418 1587 425 1091 514 888 343 482 496 1533 1545 301 251 466 338 299 487 175 357 1187