indictment down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indictment down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is unclear what context you are trying to use it in, as "indictment" typically refers to a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, and "down" does not logically connect to it. Example: "The court decided to dismiss the indictment down, leading to the defendant's release."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet the charges were absurd; the judge openly sided with the prosecution, and the decision convicting Khodorkovsky simply repeated the indictment, down to math errors and typos.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Two days after an indictment coming down, it's premature for me to say he needs to step down," Ms. Palin said of Mr. Stevens.

The New York Times

According to an indictment handed down in November, Marko sent his bodyguards to collect his former bartender.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's just an attempt to dirty up the mayor before an indictment comes down," Mr. Martir said.

The New York Times

In an indictment, handed down in December, Shmurda was charged with gun possession and conspiracy to commit murder, among other things.

The New Yorker

In the indictment handed down last month, federal prosecutors said the company perpetrated a "massive fraud" involving over $2 billion, followed by a conspiracy to hide the evidence.

The New York Times

The 20-count indictment handed down against Essex County Executive James Treffinger last week yielded some clues and helped clear the most obvious suspect.

The New York Times

Officials at the tribunal today dismissed as insignificant the change made in the new indictment, handed down last week by Carla Del Ponte, the chief prosecutor.

The New York Times

The indictment handed down last week has renewed a debate about whether Obama did enough to counter the Kremlin when he was in office.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rocancourt had demanded the $100,000, the indictment handed down yesterday said, to cover his expenses in arranging for the loan.

The New York Times

The charges against Moussaoui were announced on December 11th by Attorney General John Ashcroft, who described the indictment, handed down by a Virginia grand jury, as "a chronicle of evil".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "indictment down". Instead, use more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "hand down an indictment", "issue an indictment", or "dismiss the indictment" to clearly convey the intended meaning in legal contexts.

Common error

A common mistake is using imprecise language when discussing legal proceedings. Using "indictment down" can confuse readers. Always use established legal terms correctly to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indictment down" is not a standard grammatical construction. Its intended function is unclear, and it does not adhere to conventional legal or linguistic norms. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase lacks a clear meaning in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "indictment down" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear, standardized meaning in English. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's an ambiguous construction that doesn't align with conventional legal or linguistic usage. Although there are limited examples from news sources, it's advisable to avoid this phrase in favor of more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "hand down an indictment", "issue an indictment", or "dismiss the indictment". Using established legal terms ensures clarity and accuracy in your writing, preventing potential confusion. When discussing legal proceedings, focusing on accurate terminology is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dismiss an indictment

Indicates that the indictment was formally terminated or dropped.

drop the indictment

An informal alternative indicating the charges have been withdrawn.

issue an indictment

Emphasizes the official issuance of the legal charge.

hand down an indictment

Specifies the action of a grand jury issuing an indictment.

file an indictment

Focuses on the act of formally presenting charges, removing the ambiguous "down".

bring an indictment

Highlights the act of prosecutors initiating the indictment process.

levy an indictment

Conveys the imposition of a formal charge.

face indictment

Shifts the focus to the individual who is being charged.

quash an indictment

Refers to the act of invalidating or setting aside an indictment.

reject an indictment

Suggests that the indictment was refused or not accepted.

FAQs

What does it mean to "hand down" an indictment?

To "hand down" an indictment means that a grand jury has formally issued an indictment, which is a formal accusation charging someone with a crime after determining there is enough evidence for a trial.

What can I say instead of "indictment down"?

Avoid using "indictment down". Instead, use phrases such as "hand down an indictment", "issue an indictment", or "dismiss an indictment" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "dismiss the indictment" and "drop the indictment"?

"Dismiss the indictment" is a formal legal term indicating a judge has terminated the case, while "drop the indictment" is an informal way of saying the prosecution has withdrawn the charges.

Is it correct to say an indictment "came down"?

While you might hear someone say an indictment "came down", it's more accurate to say an indictment was "handed down" or "issued". "Came down" is less formal but understandable in context.