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What Does "behind Bars" Mean?

Rhonda Rivera
Rhonda Rivera

Behind bars means someone or something is in jail or confined in some way. It is most often used to say someone, rather than something, is in prison or jail. Sometimes it is not used in the literal sense; for example, someone might say “I’ve been put behind bars,” to mean that he or she feels confined or trapped in a situation. The saying is used because a lot of jails have barred walls, so the prisoner is literally behind the bars. This saying is usually not viewed as slang; it is a term used by many news reporters, educators, and other professionals.

“He was put behind bars for committing a crime,” is a literal usage of the saying. Alternatively, a person could say, “She is behind bars for the rest of her life” or “You will end up behind bars if you continue to break the law.” These usages are particularly common in the English-speaking world.

"Behind bars" is a phrase used to indicate that someone is in jail.
"Behind bars" is a phrase used to indicate that someone is in jail.

To use the expression in a figurative way, a person could say, “I am behind bars in this cubicle,” or “She put me behind bars by taking away the car keys.” In both cases, no one is actually behind the bars of a cell, but the speaker expresses his or her distress by comparing the situation to being in prison. The amount of distress is usually exaggerated to get the speaker’s point across. For example, the saying “I could eat a horse” simply means the speaker is very hungry, not that he or she finds horses appetizing or could actually eat an entire one.

Inmates of a prison or jail are "behind bars".
Inmates of a prison or jail are "behind bars".

In the 20th century, the saying was used as a name for many things. For example, “Behind Bars” is an album name by rapper Slick Rick, also known as Richard Walters. The song talked about being trapped in a life of drugs and alcohol. The lyrics mentioned feeling as if one is in a cell. It was released in 1994 and had some success on the music charts.

This saying can be used as an idiom because its usage is not limited to the literal meaning. Idioms come and go, and are generally considered to be part of a culture rather than a language. Like many modern sayings, the history of the saying is unknown. The saying could theoretically be as old as prison bars. In addition, until prisons no longer have bars, the saying is likely to be around for hundreds of years more.

Discussion Comments

ZsaZsa56

Have you guys seen The Silence of the Lambs? You know when Clarice goes to visit Hannibal Lecter in his cell it is not made of iron bars but some kind of plexiglass with holes drilled in to it. It is really striking looking next to the old brick walls that it is built in to.

Does anyone know if there are actually prisons like this or is this just something the director dreamed up to increase the tension in the movie?

nextcorrea
When I was younger I was part of a program called Penpals Behind Bars. Basically the program connected convicts with people on the outside who were willing to take up a written correspondence with them.

It was actually a pretty rewarding experience. there are lots of people who go to jail and don't have anyone on the outside. They are basically completely alone behind bars. All the penpals I had were eager to talk and surprisingly sweet. I think it was a very mutual relationship.

backdraft

I spent three years in jail on a breaking and entering charge and let me tell you, those were the worst three years of my life. You really can't imagine it if you have never been there. Who really knows what it is like to live without freedom, really live without freedom, unless they have lived life behind bars?

The minute I got there I realized how much I would hate the place and how little that would change. I committed myself to getting out as fast as possible. I did everything I was told, avoided fights and dramas, took classes and ended up getting 9 months taken off my sentence. I would have done just about anything to get out earlier.

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    • "Behind bars" is a phrase used to indicate that someone is in jail.
      By: NovoPicsDE
      "Behind bars" is a phrase used to indicate that someone is in jail.
    • Inmates of a prison or jail are "behind bars".
      By: BortN66
      Inmates of a prison or jail are "behind bars".