bring to book

VERB

call to account

Synonyms

WEAK

call on the carpet read the riot act take to task tongue-lash

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I'm calling on the football authorities to investigate both matches and bring to book anyone found wanting. And if nobody is found guilty of any crime then so be it."

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2022

Judging by their meaning glances at us, they considered us their mortal and cruel enemies whom it would be an act of sublime virtue to bring to book.

From The Ivory Trail by Mundy, Talbot

The English Government has scarcely yet entirely obtained the control over this region, which is ruled by rajahs, who are very difficult to bring to book from their almost inaccessible mountain fastnesses.

From Round the World in Eighty Days by Verne, Jules

Remembering that I had been told on the previous day that the cook was short of fresh meat, I resolved to see how many I could bring to book.

From The Beautiful White Devil by Boothby, Guy Newell

More than once I had the good fortune to be able to bring to book men who had carried on their trade for years, and who had been entirely unsuspected.

From My Strangest Case by Boothby, Guy