behind bars

phrase

: in jail

putting criminals behind bars

Examples of behind bars in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Missy Woods is behind bars for tampering with DNA evidence at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Najib has been behind bars since August 2022, when the Kuala Lumpur High Court upheld his graft conviction linked to a multibillion-dollar looting of the state investment fund 1MDB. — ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

In 2003, Thomas pleaded guilty to weapon possession and was sentenced to a year behind bars. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

The rape count, the most severe charge Brand was found guilty of, had a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under British sentencing guidelines, but the more common term was four to 19 years behind bars. — Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for behind bars

• abattoirs
• avatars
• handlebars
• isobars
• millibars
• motorcars
• registrars
• reservoirs
• seminars
• superstars
• ares
• cars