throw the book at
Impose maximum penalties
To throw the book at someone is to punish them as severely as possible, especially by charging them with every applicable offense or imposing the maximum penalty.
The expression originates from the image of a judge or prosecutor hurling the entire law book—every statute, every charge—at a defendant.
The DA decided to throw the book at him after he showed no remorse.
It's sometimes used more loosely to mean criticizing or reprimanding someone harshly.
prosecute
Bring criminal charges
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- convictJailed offender after trial
- indictFormally charge with crime
charge · felony · misdemeanor · verdict · guilty · judgment · incarcerate · imprison · fine · penalty
reprimand
Formal expression of disapproval
rebuke · chastise · censure · zero tolerance · strict · harsh · severe · suspend · expel · terminate
- Book Idiomson the same page, same page, turn the page, cover to cover, new chapter
throw the book atlet off the hook
throw the book atforgive
Cease to blame
show mercy · cut some slack · turn a blind eye · look the other way · spare
throw, book, throws, threw, thrown, throwing, thrower, books, booked