What does “Behind bars” mean?
"Behind bars" means being confined in prison or jail.
What context can I use the in?
Example
The criminal was finally behind bars after years of evading capture.
Example
He spent 10 years behind bars for his involvement in the robbery.
Example
The notorious gang leader is now behind bars and unable to cause any more harm
Is “Behind bars” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Behind bars” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Behind bars” effectively in context?
You can use "Behind Bars" to describe someone being in prison or jail. It emphasizes the idea of confinement and loss of freedom. For example, if you want to talk about a criminal being arrested and imprisoned, you might say, 'After years of evading capture, the criminal was finally behind bars.'
- 1Crime
The notorious gang leader is now behind bars and unable to cause any more harm.
- 2Punishment
He spent 10 years behind bars for his involvement in the robbery.
- 3Justice
The criminal was finally behind bars after years of evading capture.
Similar phrases to “Behind bars”:
Locked up
To be confined or imprisoned
Example
The thief was caught and locked up for his crimes.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Behind bars” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Behind Bars" is unknown.
Is “Behind bars” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Behind Bars" is a common idiom used in everyday conversation. It is frequently used to describe someone being in prison or jail.
What tone does “Behind bars” have?
"Behind Bars" conveys a tone of seriousness and consequences. It is often used when discussing criminal activities, punishment, or justice.
Can “Behind bars” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "Behind Bars" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a straightforward expression that describes someone being in prison or jail. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as legal discussions or news reports.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The criminal was finally behind bars after years of evading capture.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He's finally "behind bars"!' to imply that someone has been arrested and imprisoned.
