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.
The seven people on trial include his main medical adviser, Leopoldo Luque, and his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
“Faces of Death” is so steeped in the computer monitor’s point of view that, ultimately, the internet isn’t merely the defendant on trial — it’s also the judge and jury.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
One involves a former interior minister who went on trial Monday for allegedly spying on an ex-PP treasurer who had threatened to expose corruption.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
Other railway officials are also on trial along with two Italian former employees of the trains' parent company, Ferrovie dello Stato.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
I would not attempt to defend myself so much as put the state itself on trial.
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.
