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serve time

Idioms

Undergo a prison sentence; also, work at a particular task, especially an undesirable one. For example, We couldn't hire him when we learned that he had served time for robbery, or I applied for a transfer after serving time in that chaotic department. [Late 1800s]

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.

He served 20 days in jail in that case late last year, making him the first post-war French leader to serve time behind bars, before his release pending appeal.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Morgan Wallen is going to serve time in Tennessee.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2024

Weinstein could be sent to the city's Rikers Island prison, or possibly to California to serve time there.

From BBC • May 1, 2024

Whether he will ever serve time in prison remains an open question.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2024

Just one-third of white youths were sentenced to adult or juvenile state correctional facilities in 2012, while two-thirds were given probation or sentenced to serve time in county jails.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023