has done their time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has done their time" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who has served a sentence, often in a prison context, or has completed a period of obligation or service. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, she feels that she has done their time and is ready for a new challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And while each member has done their time on the comedy circuit – between them, they've appeared in shows such as Gavin & Stacey, Peep Show, The Thick Of It and The Mighty Boosh – their combined sense of humour is undoubtedly indebted to Python's slapstick silliness.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have done their time, paid their penalty.

The Guardian

By these standards, all have done their time.

The Guardian

They've done their time, but the stigma of incarceration continues.

Columbia University

The tone of the pardon from President Dmitry Medvedev was that they had done their time.

The Guardian

I'm stunned at the numbers who remain unsentenced, unsure of when they will have done their time.

The Guardian

Barry said his proposal is a matter of basic fairness for those who have done their time.

The Washington Post

"Instead of lecturing and being abusive as some advisors and commentators have done, their time would be better spent promoting the ideas and vision of their preferred candidates.

Independent

Once they had done their time, inmates were dumped onto the streets without any chance to reacclimate and find their place in the community.

The New York Times

He announced that non-violent former felons who had done their time would automatically have their right to vote restored to them.

The Guardian

Thirteen million felons who are in prison or have done their time live in the United States, according to an estimate by Christopher Uggen, a sociologist at the University of Minnesota.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has done their time" in the context of criminal justice, ensure it's clear that the sentence has been fully served and any associated parole or probation requirements have been met. This avoids ambiguity about ongoing legal obligations.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "has done their time" automatically restores all rights, such as voting or firearm ownership. Restoration of rights varies by jurisdiction and offense, requiring separate legal processes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has done their time" typically functions as a statement indicating the completion of a legally mandated punishment, often imprisonment. It suggests that an individual has fulfilled their obligation to the justice system for a past offense. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has done their time" is a common expression used to indicate that someone has completed a legally mandated sentence, often imprisonment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it primarily functions to acknowledge the completion of a sentence, it's also used in discussions about justice, rehabilitation, and the restoration of rights. The phrase has a generally neutral register and appears frequently in news media and academic discussions. Related phrases include "has served their sentence" and "has paid their debt to society". It's important to remember that completing a sentence doesn't automatically restore all rights or guarantee rehabilitation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has served their sentence

Focuses specifically on completing a prison sentence.

has paid their debt to society

Emphasizes the idea of compensating for a crime or wrongdoing.

has completed their term

Highlights the completion of a defined period, such as in office or service.

has finished their stint

Refers to completing a period of work or service, often temporary.

has fulfilled their obligation

Emphasizes meeting a required duty or responsibility.

has put in their time

Focuses on the effort and duration spent on a task or job.

has seen their time through

Implies enduring a period to its conclusion, often involving hardship.

has passed their time

Indicates the completion of a phase or period in one's life.

has went through their ordeal

It speaks about facing and overcoming a difficult experience.

has faced their consequences

It talks about accepting punishment for one's actions.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "has done their time"?

It typically means someone has completed a sentence, usually imprisonment, for a crime they committed and are now free from that specific legal obligation.

Is "has done their time" the same as saying someone is fully rehabilitated?

Not necessarily. "Has done their time" refers to the completion of a sentence, while rehabilitation is a separate process of personal change and societal reintegration. Completing a sentence does not guarantee rehabilitation.

What are some alternatives to saying someone "has done their time"?

You can use alternatives like "has served their sentence", "has paid their debt to society", or "has completed their term" depending on the context.

Does "has done their time" imply that a person's criminal record is expunged?

No, completing a sentence doesn't automatically expunge a criminal record. Expungement is a separate legal process that, if granted, seals or removes the record from public view.