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UKbehind bars
/bɪhˌaɪnd bˈɑːz/
/bɪhˌaɪnd bˈɑːɹz/behind bars
[PHRASE]
What is the origin of the idiom "behind bars" and when to use it?
The idiom "behind bars" originated from the physical structure of prisons, where prisoners are confined within cells that are typically equipped with bars or solid doors. The use of bars as a means of imprisonment has been prevalent throughout history, dating back to ancient times. The phrase is used to refer to individuals who have been convicted of a crime and are serving a prison sentence or awaiting trial while being detained.
Examples
1. With this new charge of conspiracy to commit bribery, Lori Loughlin can get an additional five years behind bars.
2. At night the woman in the wallpapers captivity behind bars becomes as plain as can be, So of course does the narrator's own captivity.
3. But in practice, it just keeps defendants without money behind bars until their court date.
4. And the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with 693 people out of every 100,000 behind bars.
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