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]

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Example Sentences

Fifteen of its mayors are now behind bars.

From Barron's

For others, it is a catastrophic failure by the Prison Service as he should be spending the full sentence - life with a minimum term of 40 years - behind bars.

From BBC

A second was sentenced to 15 months behind bars and barred from practicing for six years.

From Barron's

Through restorative justice, her mum Danielle O'Halloran met Roberts behind bars, seeking closure, answers and a way to live as a mother "who isn't just here to survive".

From BBC

In November 1978, Tejero had been linked to another failed bid to overthrow the government, known as Operation Galaxy, for which he was sentenced to seven months behind bars.

From Barron's