# in prison

idiom · CEFR A2

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/in-prison
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

being kept in a building for criminals as a punishment.

## Examples

- The man is in prison for his crimes.
- After the judge delivered the final verdict, the criminal was sent to spend ten years in prison.
- Following the conclusion of the lengthy trial, the defendant was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the elaborate financial scheme.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.