press charges

[pres chahr-jiz]

idiom

1. to bring a formal accusation against a person believed to have committed a crime (often used withagainst ).

   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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of press charges¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she will press charges against a man who groped her during a public appearance.

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"I decided to press charges because this is something that I experienced as a woman, but that we as women experience in our country," she said.

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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.

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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.

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Michael, who is 58 from Birmingham, says he went to hospital where he was x-rayed and given a tetanus injection, and though he reported it to police he decided not to press charges.

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Related Words

• prosecute