behind bars

VERB

serving jail time

Synonyms

WEAK

confined imprisoned in jail in prison incarcerated jailed put away serving time under lock and key

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.

They were granted amnesty in 1997 having spent just two years behind bars.

From Barron's

Prosecutors declined to bring charges against Madden, citing a lack of evidence beyond the confession and Madden already being behind bars for life in Oklahoma.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the National Union of Press Workers he spent "one year, five months, and 12 days" behind bars.

From Barron's

Then Mrs. Maroney would return to my aunt’s side for more stories about a beloved behind bars.

From Literature

Under South Korean law, prosecutors had three punishment options to recommend to the panel of district-court judges: the death penalty or life behind bars, with or without prison labor.

From The Wall Street Journal