on trial

idiom

: in a situation in which evidence against one is presented in a court to a judge and often a jury to decide if one is guilty of a crime

on trial for murder

She went on trial for possession of drugs.

—sometimes used figuratively to indicate that people will think about something in a critical way

The controversial case has put the entire health care system on trial.

Examples of on trial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also on trial are seven of Bolsonaro's closest allies, including his former vice-presidential running mate, defense minister, and justice minister. —Carrie Kahn, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025

Still, there’s no question that scientific progress relies on trial and error and attempting to achieve the improbable. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025

Read was on trial for murder and a slew of other alleged crimes, while her defense argued she was framed — the victim of a cover-up involving law enforcement agents. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025

Infamous serial killer Ted Bundy married Carole Ann Boone while on trial for murder. —Makena Gera, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Rhymes for on trial

• dial
• rial
• thiol
• vial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial
• supervisorial