behind bars

VERB

serving jail time

Synonyms

WEAK

confined imprisoned in jail in prison incarcerated jailed put away serving time under lock and key

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 took his place, standing behind bars as the families looked on.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Cal McMau’s feature directorial debut hardly reinvents the formula, but it does remind audiences what remains so sturdy about the premise of an ordinary man trying to stay alive behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Det Chf Insp Craig Kelly, the officer who led the investigation, said he was glad Milne was "behind bars, where he should be."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He spent more than a year behind bars.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The place of a freedom fighter is beside his people, not behind bars.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela