throws the book at
Maximizes the sentence
To throw the book at someone is to impose the maximum penalty or punishment available: The judge threw the book at the repeat offender.
The book refers to the law or rules—every applicable charge, every possible consequence.
The phrase often appears in legal contexts but extends to any situation where someone faces severe consequences: When the boss found out about the expense reports, he threw the book at her.
- zero tolerancePolicy allowing no infractions
- no mercyComplete absence of clemency
- crack downEnforce rules more strictly
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- maximum sentenceLongest term a judge can impose
come down hard · verdict · punitive measures · penalty · lay down the law · conviction · discipline · deterrence · prosecution · incarceration · hard time · judge · criminal court · rule-bound · charge · accountability · face the music · fine
throws the book atslap on the wrist
Trivially lenient penalty
lets slide · looks the other way · pardons · turns a blind eye · forgives
throws the book atlooks the other way
Ignores something deliberately
turns a blind eye · lets off · overlooks · excuses · forgives
throw, throws, threw, thrown, throwing, thrower, throwers, book, books