serve time

Idioms

Undergo a prison sentence; also, work at a particular task, especially an undesirable one. For example, We couldn't hire him when we learned that he had served time for robbery, or I applied for a transfer after serving time in that chaotic department. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He served 20 days in jail in that case late last year, making him the first post-war French leader to serve time behind bars, before his release pending appeal.

From Barron's

But the sentences were suspended for four years, which means they did not actually have to serve time in prison.

From BBC

Morgan Wallen is going to serve time in Tennessee.

From Los Angeles Times

Facing the prospect of another lengthy prison term, he took the advice of another inmate who told him - "don't serve time, let time serve you".

From BBC

“I forgive them, but that does not mean I don’t want them to have their day in court and serve time.”

From Slate

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023