Behind bars
prepositional phrase
In jail or prison.
The criminal was put behind bars for his crimes.
Often appears as...
- put behind bars
- end up behind bars
Usage tips
Colloquial
prepositional phrase
Being held in a situation or place where one is unable to leave.
He felt his job kept him behind bars, making him unable to pursue his dreams.
Often appears as...
- feel behind bars
- trapped behind bars
Usage tips
Idiomatic
prepositional phrase
In jail or prison.
The criminal was put behind bars for his crimes.
Often appears as...
- put behind bars
- end up behind bars
Usage tips
Colloquial
prepositional phrase
Being held in a situation or place where one is unable to leave.
He felt his job kept him behind bars, making him unable to pursue his dreams.
Often appears as...
- feel behind bars
- trapped behind bars
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Understand the situation to decide if 'behind bars' means jail or a metaphorical restriction.
After the trial, the judge put the thief behind bars.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
'Behind bars' is casual language, more common in spoken than formal written English.
The newscaster said the celebrity could end up behind bars.
Pro Tip 3/3Suggests Punishment
The phrase usually implies a person is imprisoned as consequences of their actions.
Anyone caught stealing will find themselves behind bars.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Understand the situation to decide if 'behind bars' means jail or a metaphorical restriction.
After the trial, the judge put the thief behind bars.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
'Behind bars' is casual language, more common in spoken than formal written English.
The newscaster said the celebrity could end up behind bars.
Pro Tip 3/3Suggests Punishment
The phrase usually implies a person is imprisoned as consequences of their actions.
Anyone caught stealing will find themselves behind bars.
Pro Tip 1/3Context Matters
Understand the situation to decide if 'behind bars' means jail or a metaphorical restriction.
After the trial, the judge put the thief behind bars.
Pro Tip 2/3Colloquial Usage
'Behind bars' is casual language, more common in spoken than formal written English.
The newscaster said the celebrity could end up behind bars.
Pro Tip 3/3Suggests Punishment
The phrase usually implies a person is imprisoned as consequences of their actions.
Anyone caught stealing will find themselves behind bars.
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