put behind bars

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put behind bars" is correct and can be used in written English.
It commonly refers to someone being sent to prison or jail. Example: After a lengthy trial, the serial killer was finally put behind bars for life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr Ganji has been put behind bars.

The Economist

traffickers have been put behind bars.

The Washington Post

"Others were either put behind bars, died or were killed".

The New York Times

You heard of cases in which workers were put behind bars for anti-Semitic acts.

The New Yorker

They later let me out, but then I was put behind bars again.

The New Yorker

He is the sixth person to be put behind bars after a sting by Dark Justice.

Independent

DiBernardo said he's uneasy that the man he helped put behind bars is out again.

Independent

Unless a botnet's owners and clients are put behind bars, takedowns tend to be temporary.

The New York Times

Prominent MDC people are frequently beaten up, put behind bars and even murdered.

The Economist

Worldwide only 43% of murders result in someone being put behind bars.

The Economist

After an outburst six years ago, Sheikh al-Oqla was put behind bars.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put behind bars" when you want to emphasize the consequence of imprisonment as a direct result of someone's actions or crimes. It's a clear and easily understood way to convey that someone has been incarcerated.

Common error

Avoid using "put behind bars" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or precise terms like "imprisoned" or "incarcerated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "put behind bars" is as a passive construction indicating the action of imprisoning someone. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various news and media contexts to describe the consequences of criminal actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put behind bars" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that effectively communicates the act of imprisoning someone. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media contexts. While appropriate for general use, writers should consider more formal alternatives such as "imprisoned" or "incarcerated" in academic or highly formal settings. Remember that while "arrested" means to be taken into custody, "put behind bars" means imprisonment. Use "put behind bars" to emphasize the punitive outcome of a crime or legal process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sent to prison

A straightforward phrase indicating the act of being sentenced to a prison term.

jailed

A simpler, more direct synonym for "put behind bars".

imprisoned

A single-word alternative denoting the state of being confined in prison.

incarcerated

A more formal term for being imprisoned, often used in legal contexts.

locked up

An informal expression for being imprisoned.

placed in detention

A formal way of saying someone is being held in custody, especially for juveniles.

taken into custody

Describes the initial act of being arrested and detained.

detained

A general term for holding someone in confinement, not necessarily in a prison.

held in captivity

Suggests being held against one's will, often in a more general sense than just imprisonment.

confined

A broader term indicating restriction to a specific place.

FAQs

How can I use "put behind bars" in a sentence?

Use "put behind bars" to indicate that someone has been imprisoned as a consequence of their actions. For example, "The judge decided to "put behind bars" the defendant after the evidence was presented."

What are some alternatives to "put behind bars"?

You can use alternatives like "imprisoned", "incarcerated", or "jailed" depending on the context and desired formality.

Is "put behind bars" too informal for formal writing?

While "put behind bars" is widely understood, it can be considered less formal. In formal writing, more precise and neutral terms such as "imprisoned" or "incarcerated" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between ""put behind bars"" and "arrested"?

"Arrested" refers to the act of being taken into police custody, while ""put behind bars"" indicates that someone has been sentenced and is serving time in prison. Arrest precedes imprisonment.