Behind bars

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Behind bars" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to refer to someone who is imprisoned or incarcerated. Example: "After the trial, he found himself behind bars for several years." Alternative expressions include "in prison" and "incarcerated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dozens of political prisoners are behind bars.

The New York Times

Many of those behind recent ETA attacks are behind bars.

The Economist

It may now put her behind bars.

BBC

Photo spoiler: Back from behind bars!

BBC

He remains behind bars.

The Economist

To stay behind bars …".

Independent

Now they're behind bars.

Columbia University

That's why he's behind bars".

The New York Times

"Women Behind Bars" it ain't.

The New York Times

Keep em behind bars.

The Guardian - Film

He's behind bars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Behind bars" when you want to concisely convey the idea of imprisonment, especially in news reports or summaries where brevity is important. This phrase avoids overly formal language while remaining clear and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "Behind bars" when referring to someone in temporary police custody or detention. The phrase typically implies a more extended period of incarceration in a prison or jail, not just a brief holding period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Behind bars" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the state of being imprisoned or incarcerated. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it is used to describe the condition of individuals who are serving time in a correctional facility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Behind bars" is a prevalent phrase used to denote imprisonment, primarily found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While it's considered neutral in tone, more formal settings might benefit from synonyms such as "incarcerated" or "imprisoned". The phrase serves to inform about the state of confinement resulting from legal proceedings. The examples from Ludwig showcase its versatile application across various scenarios, highlighting its effectiveness in conveying the reality of imprisonment in a concise manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Imprisoned

A general term for being held in prison.

In jail

Specifically refers to being held in a jail, which is typically for shorter sentences or while awaiting trial.

Incarcerated

A more formal and clinical term for being imprisoned.

Locked up

A more colloquial term for being imprisoned.

Serving time

Refers specifically to the act of spending a period in prison.

Doing time

An informal version of 'serving time'.

In custody

Implies a state of being held by law enforcement, not necessarily in prison.

Inside prison walls

A more descriptive term for the physical location of imprisonment.

A prisoner

Describes the condition of someone who is confined.

Confined

Describes the state of being restricted in movement or space.

FAQs

How do I use "Behind bars" in a sentence?

You can use "Behind bars" to indicate that someone is imprisoned. For example, "The thief is now "behind bars" after being convicted of robbery".

What are some alternatives to saying "Behind bars"?

Alternatives include "incarcerated", "imprisoned", or "in custody", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "Behind bars" in formal writing?

While "Behind bars" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for news reports or general writing. In formal or legal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "incarcerated" or "imprisoned".

What's the difference between "Behind bars" and "In jail"?

"Behind bars" is a general term for being imprisoned, while "In jail" specifically refers to being held in a local jail, often for shorter sentences or while awaiting trial. You might say someone is "behind bars", implying they are serving a longer sentence, but someone "in jail" might be awaiting trial.