press charges

American  

[pres chahr-jiz] / ˈprɛs ˈtʃɑr dʒɪz /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of press charges

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

For a second I thought she was going to pray, but then she said to Ba, “The Blythes don’t want to press charges. They want to keep it quiet for everyone’s best interest.”

From Literature

Zarrinnam says the decision on whether to press charges rests with him, and it's something he will seriously consider once he has the facts.

From BBC

“The fire marshal believes they have the fire under control. I spoke with the state’s attorney and, given Gabriel’s age, they don’t want to press charges just yet.”

From Literature

Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, rightly opened a criminal investigation into the matter and subsequently decided to press charges against five reservists.

From The Wall Street Journal

"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.

From BBC

Related Words

• prosecute