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serve time

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serve time

to spend a certain amount of time in jail. The criminal served ten years in jail. After the felon served his time, he was released from prison.

See also: serve, time

serve time

also do time

to spend a period of time in prison He was serving time for a series of burglaries in the neighborhood.

See also: serve, time

serve time

Undergo a prison sentence; also, work at a particular task, especially an undesirable one. For example, We couldn't hire him when we learned that he had served time for robbery, or I applied for a transfer after serving time in that chaotic department. [Late 1800s]

See also: serve, time