Definition
To charge with or convict of as many crimes as possible.
To apply the harshest possible punishment to.
Origins
From the metaphor of a large book, containing all the possible laws broken or punishments for a particular crime, being thrown at an offender. Attested since at least 1897.
In Context
- "COURT THROWS BOOK AT HIM: ... Thomas Pasco, beggar, got everything the statutes would permit Judge Binkle to give him yesterday afternoon."
- "[C]riminals ... dreaded to be brought into his court, as a conviction meant a severe sentence. As one criminal expressed it to another, "The judge throws the book at you.""
- "The judge, not weeping any, throws the book at him, which means he gives Bob the limit."