press charges
Americanidiom
Etymology
Origin of press charges
First recorded in 1885–90
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 report, filed July 15, asks for law enforcement to investigate the movie’s theft and “identify all responsible parties, preserve all relevant evidence, and press charges against the responsible parties.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Earlier this summer, authorities informed SW about the results of their investigation and asked if she wanted to press charges, said Ventura County Dist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
The reviewer then contacted North Wales Police and social services over safeguarding concerns, and police then came to the family's house to ask if they wanted to press charges against Foden.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025
Sovann Komar’s new management soon made a series of accusations against Sothea and three of the foster parents, and asked prosecutors to press charges.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
“I’m sorry, Aibileen. Hilly, if you want to... press charges, that’s up to you.”
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
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.
