BBC Learning English
The English We Speak
18 September 2012
Throw the book at somebody
Helen: Hello, I'm Helen and I'm here today to co-present The English We Speak&
and& the presenter is& Rosie. Where is she?
Rosie: Hi, I'm Rosie! Hi Helen! I'm sorry I'm late. The traffic, you know?
Helen: Is it that bad? I live in North London, like you, and I've managed to be
here on time. Maybe you should take a different route so you wouldn't be
late anymore. Yesterday you were a bit late too. And the day before. I saw
when you arrived in the middle of an important meeting. This is not good!
Rosie: I know. The boss was not pleased and he called me afterwards into his
office. He says he will throw the book at me!
Helen: Oh! That's bad! That's very bad!
Rosie: Yes, it is! I'm very concerned now. I know that I should be more careful.
Helen: They are very big! Have you seen these massive encyclopaedias he keeps
on the dark wooden shelves behind his desk? He's not into electronic books
and neither into those so-called paperbacks. The man likes heavy leather
cover traditional books and old collectors' antiques and furniture.
Rosie: I know he likes antiques, that does not bother me. He's going to throw the
book at me, Helen! He said it yesterday. He sounded very angry, very
crossed and he said: "Rosie, it's happening too often now! You're always
late for meetings, for programmes, you have been absent frequently and
I'm going to throw the book at you!" That's what he said, Helen!
Helen: Oh, the books are heavy and you might get seriously hurt! He's a strong
man; maybe he will throw the other things too! I don't like to see him
angry! He is a good boss but he's got a temper. There's that Queen Victoria
bust from the 19th century he loves. It's an antique too& if you get him
angry enough he might even throw the bust on you!
Rosie: Queen Victoria's bust!? Er& What are you talking about? Helen, in English,
to throw the book at somebody means to impose the maximum penalty on
somebody who has been breaking the rules. The book is supposed to be
the list of rules and regulations and the expression is used by people in a
position of authority. Let's listen to some examples:
Examples
Judge: Mr. Jones, I'm tired of seeing you in my courtroom! If you don't stop trying to
steal cars I'm going to throw the book at you! You'll face a long prison sentence!
The English We Speak © British Broadcasting Corporation 2012
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Prisoner: I'm sorry, Judge. I think I've learnt my lesson now and will behave properly!
Teacher: I'm your teacher! Pay attention to what I'm saying! If you continue cheating in
your exams I'm going to throw the book at you!
Helen: Oh, I see! So he will not actually pick up that heavy Encyclopaedia
Britannica and throw it in your direction and hurt you.
Rosie: Of course not! He probably will send me a formal letter and start
disciplinary procedures with the human resources department and might
end up sacking me!
Helen: But at least you will not be hurt and the book will be preserved. I like that
book, you know. When I was a child I used to enjoy looking up things in
encyclopaedias  they're very interesting. This was before the internet was
so accessible...
Rosie: It doesn't matter what happens to his old books, Helen. This is serious. It
might not hurt me but it will hurt my pocket! No job, no money!
Helen: Well, if you don't want him to sack you, then buy a watch and don't come
late anymore! Follow the rules! And I don't want to finish the programme
late. Nobody will throw the book at me! Goodbye!
Rosie: I will buy a new watch. Thank you for the advice. Bye!
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