do time

Idioms  

1. Serve a prison sentence, as in Many of the gang members did time while they were still teenagers. This expression originated as underworld slang and is now standard usage. [c. 1860]

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Example Sentences

Mr Berry also said he would "do time" for Mrs Mills.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

It’s something life has evolved to do time and again.

From Slate • Aug. 13, 2024

"What we found were good changes in gene expression in these individuals which now gives us some idea what to expect when people with obesity do time restricted eating."

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023

Despite this, fire camps remain the most humane places to do time in the California prison system.

From Washington Post • Oct. 15, 2021

My father wipes his mouth with this folded-up paper napkin and he ignores her and looks at Iggy and says, "You ever do time, you could be a cook."

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick