behind bars

phrase

: in jail

putting criminals behind bars

Examples of behind bars in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2023, Leslie Van Houten was granted parole and released after holding what many described as an exemplary record for decades behind bars. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

When he was sentenced in 2016 to more than a year behind bars, the former history teacher became one of the highest-ranking American politicians ever ordered to prison. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Bakker became a free man in July 1994, after nearly five years behind bars. — Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

Advertisement Ayman is but one of over 60,000 lives behind bars. — Abdelrahman Elgendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for behind bars

• abattoirs
• avatars
• handlebars
• isobars
• millibars
• motorcars
• registrars
• reservoirs
• seminars
• superstars
• ares
• cars