can do time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can do time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal or criminal context to refer to serving a prison sentence. Example: "After being convicted of robbery, he knew he could do time in prison for several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

You can do time".

The New Yorker

I have been in prison since 1981, and my attitude has had to be "I can do time on the moon," if that is what's called for... Tells how, during lockdown, he is forced to part with some of his personal papers.

The New Yorker

"We have seen what he can do time and time again so he has to go back to the basics and does what he does best, taking wickets.

BBC

Prison is what you make it, and if you stay quiet, blend in, and don't make any waves, even a convicted sex offender can do time relatively peacefully in the feds.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Get creative: You can do Time-lapse movies of the event, or use your camera's image overlay function to put in a nice scenic foreground or trace the path of the sun through the sky.

Forbes

You can only do time trials with one player anyway.

WikiHow

You can even do time-lapse recording.

TechCrunch

"Eli showed last week what he can do with time.

The New York Times - Sports

And I thought, This is something I can do every time I listen to music".

The New Yorker

"If I've got music, I'm straight — I can do my time.

The New Yorker

It is probably the best Mr. Ratner can do, given time and money constraints.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can do time", ensure the context clearly indicates the possibility or likelihood of serving a prison sentence due to a crime or legal consequence. Avoid using it in contexts where 'time' refers to other meanings.

Common error

Avoid using "can do time" when you simply mean 'can spend time' or 'can allocate time' to a task. "Can do time" specifically refers to the possibility of imprisonment, not general time management.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can do time" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the possibility or actuality of serving a prison sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase describes a potential consequence of illegal actions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

30%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can do time" is a grammatically correct verbal phrase indicating the possibility or reality of serving a prison sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While relatively informal, it commonly appears in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, be sure that the subject is facing potential imprisonment and the meaning isn't being confused with other uses of "time". More formal alternatives such as "serve prison time" or "be incarcerated" may be appropriate in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve prison time

Replaces "do" with the more formal "serve", emphasizing the act of serving a sentence.

spend time in jail

Specifies "jail" instead of a more general "time", focusing on a specific type of confinement.

serve a sentence

Emphasizes the legal aspect of fulfilling a court-ordered punishment.

be incarcerated

A formal and legalistic term for being imprisoned.

be imprisoned

Similar to "be incarcerated" but slightly less formal.

face jail time

Focuses on the anticipation or possibility of imprisonment.

be behind bars

A more figurative way of saying someone is in prison.

be confined

A general term indicating restriction of movement, including but not limited to prison.

do a stretch

An informal term for serving a period of imprisonment.

be in custody

Indicates that someone is being held by law enforcement, not necessarily sentenced.

FAQs

What does "can do time" mean?

"Can do time" means that someone is facing the possibility or reality of serving a prison sentence for a crime they have committed.

What are some alternatives to "can do time"?

Alternatives include "serve prison time", "be incarcerated", or "face jail time", depending on the context.

Is "can do time" formal or informal?

"Can do time" is generally considered an informal phrase, although it can appear in news reports. More formal alternatives include "serve a sentence" or "be imprisoned".

How should I use "can do time" in a sentence?

Use "can do time" to indicate that someone is likely to be, or is currently, serving a prison sentence. For example: "After the conviction, he knew he "can do time".