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

See Examples For:

behind bars

If convicted, he could face around a decade behind bars, according to Turkish media calculations.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

He was sentenced to life in prison and served most of his time behind bars at San Quentin State Prison.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

The filming continued after she was behind bars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

For nearly seven weeks, the trial transfixed and divided the nation on whether Clancy was a victim or a criminal who deserved to be behind bars.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

Prisoners didn't like the thought of being behind bars while their mothers, wives, girlfriends, or children were preyed upon.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos