Table of Contents
Behind bars is a common English idiom used to talk about prison or jail.
What Does “Behind Bars” Mean?
Behind bars means to be in prison or jail, usually because someone has committed a crime.
Definition:
in prison; in jail
Is “Behind Bars” Formal or Informal?
This idiom is informal and is commonly used in:
- Everyday conversation.
- News reports.
- General written English.
It is not usually used in very formal or legal writing.
Examples of “Behind Bars” in Sentences
- That guy over there has been behind bars for five years.
- He spent three years behind bars for robbery.
- The criminal will remain behind bars until the trial ends.
Synonyms for “Behind Bars”
- in prison
- in jail
- locked up
- doing time (informal)
Origin of the Idiom “Behind Bars”
The idiom behind bars comes from the metal bars traditionally used in prison cells. These bars physically separate prisoners from the outside world and prevent them from escaping.
Over time, the phrase began to be used figuratively to mean being imprisoned, even when modern prisons no longer rely only on metal bars. Today, “behind bars” is widely understood as a simple way to say that someone is in jail or prison.
💡 ESL Tip
If someone is behind bars, they are not free and cannot leave prison. The phrase always describes people, not places.
This idiom is in the general category.
