[bring] {sb} to book
1
to make someone face the consequences or legal repercussions of their actions
The origin of the idiom "bring someone to book" can be traced back to the practice of keeping records or account books, particularly in legal contexts. In the past, when someone was accused of a crime or wrongdoing, their name would be recorded in a book as part of the legal process. It is often employed in legal and judicial settings to describe the process of pursuing justice for crimes or offenses committed.
- The prosecutor is determined to bring the corrupt politician to book for his illegal activities.
- The company's HR department is taking swift action to bring the employee who violated the code of conduct to book.
- The activists are rallying to bring the perpetrators of environmental destruction to book.
- The investigative team successfully brought the notorious criminal to book after months of diligent work.
- The organization brought the negligent contractor to book for their subpar work on the construction project.