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Synonyms

make bail

Idioms  

  1. Put up security as an assurance that someone released from prison will appear for trial, as in He didn't think he could make bail for his brother. The use of bail for “security” was first recorded in 1495.

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.

For more than two years they have been kept in a county jail, unable to make bail.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2024

Some have been arrested under laws that allow people to be held for extended periods without trial, and that make bail terms extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible.

From New York Times • Apr. 16, 2022

The governor told Chisholm he expects the investigation to be impartial and transparent and that he wants assurances that Chisholm’s office will make bail recommendations that won’t jeopardize public safety.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2022

Superior Court Judge Maryann D'Addezio signed off on a criminal protective order that will prevent Larry from contacting certain individuals if he does make bail before trial.

From Fox News • Oct. 25, 2021

If you can make bail, you pay and go home.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

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.