behind bars Definition

bar¹
noun

1. A block of some solid substance.

Example: bar of soap
2. A rod or long piece of a strong rigid material used as a fastening, weapon, obstruction, etc.

Thesaurus: strip, pole, rod, lever, shaft, stake, rail.
3. Anything that prevents, restricts or hinders, such as a non-physical barrier.

Example: colour bar
Example: a bar on alcohol
Thesaurus: barrier, hindrance, obstacle, hurdle, impediment, barricade, deterrent.
4. A line or band of colour or light, etc, especially a stripe on a heraldic shield.
5. A room or counter in a restaurant or hotel, etc, or a separate establishment, where alcoholic drinks are sold and drunk.

Thesaurus: saloon, tavern, inn, bistro, cocktail lounge, slang dive, watering hole; pub, cabaret, hostel, roadhouse.
6. A small café where drinks and snacks are served.

Example: coffee bar
Example: snack bar
7. A counter where some specified service is available.

Example: a heel bar
8a. A vertical line marked on music, dividing it into sections of equal value;

Form: bar-line (also)
8b. One of these sections.
9. The rail in a law court where the accused person stands.
10. The profession of barristers and advocates.

Thesaurus: lawyers, counselors, barristers, judiciary, solicitors, the legal profession.
Form: the Bar
11. A raised area of sand, mud or stones, etc at the mouth of a river or harbour.
12. An addition to a medal, usually to show that it has been won more than once.

Example: DSO and bar
13. In salary statements: a level beyond which one cannot rise unless certain conditions, eg concerning the amount of advanced work one does, are met.

verb barred, barring

1. To fasten something with a bar.

Thesaurus: barricade, fence, wall, dam, dike, bolt, latch, lock, jam.
2. To forbid, prohibit, prevent them from entering (eg a place or event), doing something, etc.

Example: The landlord barred him for a month
Thesaurus: ban, disallow, deny, refuse, debar, boycott, ostracize, exclude, discourage, prohibit, forbid, interdict, outlaw, proscribe.
Form: bar someone from something (often)
3. To hinder, obstruct or prevent someone's progress.

Example: tried to bar his way
4. To mark something with a stripe or bar.

prep

1. Except; except for. See also barring.

Example: CID have now interviewed every suspect, bar one

Idiom: be called to the Bar

In the UK: to be admitted as a barrister or advocate.

Idiom: behind bars

In prison.

Etymology: 12c: from French barre.