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

Landor sued under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, which Congress enacted in 2000 to protect free exercise behind bars.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

They added that £40m has been invested in new security measures to clamp down on illegal items so "those who break prison rules can face extra time behind bars".

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

State prison systems across the country are facing a daunting challenge: finding ways to keep people from returning to prison when an estimated 40% end up back behind bars within three years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Prekoski argued for Peterson to sentence his client to between 14 and 20 years behind bars, saying that the maximum prison term likely would mean O’Connor would die “in a cage.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

It was his first time behind bars, and of all the prisoners doing Katrina time,” as they’d termed it, he was the most perplexed by it all.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers