pay (one's) debt to society
pay (one's) debt to society
To serve the sentence given to one upon conviction of a crime. In the eyes of the law, he has paid his debt to society, so he shouldn't be facing any further punishment for his past crimes. I spent nearly 15 years in prison—I paid my debt to society!
See also: debt, pay, society
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- pay (one's) dues to society
- pay one’s dues to society
- pass sentence (on someone or something)
- pass sentence on
- sentence
- three-strike(s) law
- lose (one's) edge
- lose your edge
- plead to
- plead to (something)