on trial
Idioms-
In the process of being tried, especially in a court of law. For example, He would be put on trial for the murder of his wife . [Early 1700s]
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As a test of something, on probation, as in They said we could take the vacuum cleaner on trial and return it if it was too noisy . [Early 1700s]
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.
Eventually, the father asks a prosecutor with equal parts anger and exasperation, “Am I on trial for my beliefs?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
With a different landing, the Princess of Wales might have been on trial for murder.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
First, it quite literally puts on trial everyone whose actions led to Walker’s death.
From Slate ● Oct. 1, 2026
A popular Turkish comedian went on trial on Monday for allegedly insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other offences during a stand-up performance, offering a quick-witted defence that had much of the courtroom in stitches.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
His friend was in jail waiting to be put on trial for the crime of helping the Reds.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
