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.
Fulton County Superior Court Senior Judge Jane C. Barwick sentenced Evans, who was set to go on trial this week, to two years in prison and three years on probation.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
In subsequent months, Yoon was impeached, removed from power and put on trial over a litany of allegations connected to his proclamation.
From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026
Miller, of Gayton Road, had gone on trial in April 2025 after denying causing death by dangerous driving, but that trial was halted after lawyers said more time was needed.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
And earlier this month, his former transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, went on trial over allegations he received kickbacks on sales of Personal Protective Equipment to the Spanish government during the Covid pandemic.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
There was no evidence against James Kantor; he was not even a member of our organization and should not have been on trial at all.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
