1
general::
Punish or reprimand severely, as in I just knew the professor would throw the book at me for being late with my paper. This expression originally meant "sentence a convicted person to the maximum penalties allowed," the book being the roster of applicable laws. Its figurative use dates from the mid1900s.
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): throw the book at someone
Fig. to charge or convict someone with as many crimes as is possible. • I made the police officer angry, so he took me to the station and threw the book at me. • The judge threatened to throw the book at me if I didn’t stop insulting the police officer.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs