press charges

[ pres-chahr-jiz ]

idiom

to bring a formal accusation against a person believed to have committed a crime (often used with against): The authorities plan to press charges against her for participating in civil disobedience last week.He didn't want to press charges, but warned the guy who punched him not to cause any more problems.

Origin of press charges

First recorded in 1885–90

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

The police asked if Spahn wished to press charges, but he said he did not.
Gay Talese on Charlie Manson’s Home on the Range | Gay Talese | October 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In the Liberty case, the victim is said to have chosen not to press charges.
The Math That Keeps Helping College Rapists | Michael Daly | October 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The question is why she then decided to not to press charges.
Alleged U.Va. Abductor Accused of Rape at Christian College | Michael Daly | September 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
According to Haidak's complaint, Gibney declined API's offers to press charges or seek counseling.
Is UMass-Amherst Biased Against Male Students in Title IX Assault Cases? | Emily Shire | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Eighty percent of women will never press charges, and in most cases, will never tell anyone.
‘Brave Miss World’: Linor Abargil on Her Journey From Rape Victim to Beauty Queen to Activist | Linor Abargil | May 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

By the eighties it is very clear that the justices were ceasing to press charges against witches.
A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 | Wallace Notestein
"I've decided not to press charges against the fellow confined below," he announced.
Caravans By Night | Harry Hervey
It had cost Papa a fortune to persuade the teacher not to press charges.
Shaman | Robert Shea

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