do time

phrase

: to be in a prison for a period of time : to serve all or part of a prison sentence

He has been doing time in a federal penitentiary.

—sometimes used figuratively as do one's time

I've done my time at that terrible job, and now it's time to move on.

Examples of do time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In all, seven members of the gang would do time. — Troy Roberts, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

Assets on a statement matter, but so do time, health, skills, and relationships. — Bruce Helmer, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025

As the trial awaits sentencing, those eager about the case and whether Combs will actually do time in prison have plenty to say. — Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025

Access to email has changed the way inmates do time, but the tablets at Rikers, which is overseen by New York City, omit email and phone privileges. — Phoebe Eaton, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2025

Directors and performers with prestigious résumés do time for a paycheck, getting praise for their visionary genius as their every contribution is overruled or ignored. — Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2024

Yet defense lawyers like MiAngel Cody, based in Chicago and Miami, question the assumption that the federal system, which was placed on lockdown this week after a gang fight in a high-security unit in Texas, is an easier place to do time. — New York Times, 2 Feb. 2022

About 70 defendants have had their cases adjudicated to date, and 31 of those will do time in prison. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022

Rhymes for do time

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime