Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

behind bars

Idioms  

  1. In prison, as in All murderers should be put behind bars for life. The bars here refer to the iron rods used to confine prisoners. [c. 1900]

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.

Behind bars, she and the others have carried out protests, pushing the boundaries and continuing to fight for their rights.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2024

Behind bars, 79 percent of Democrats and 34 percent of Republicans also said yes.

From Slate • Oct. 17, 2024

Behind bars, Hylton tried to turn her life around.

From Fox News • Aug. 21, 2020

Behind bars, she said, she lives with guilt, grief and shame. 

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2016

Behind bars, he tries to remain positive by exercising, and writing letters and poems.

From Washington Post

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.