serve time

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

serve time

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

Facing the prospect of another lengthy prison term, he took the advice of another inmate who told him - "don't serve time, let time serve you".

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2024

But Daniel, 50, also known as “Two Scoops,” said prosecutors didn’t uphold their end of the bargain, leaving him to serve time in a Sacramento state prison for the past seven months.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 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