file against

file (something) against (someone)

To officially accuse someone of an offense. I'm going to file charges against my neighbor if he keeps harassing me like this.
See also: file
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

file something against someone

to lodge a criminal charge against someone. Sally filed a charge of assault against Max. The old man filed charges against the attacker.
See also: file
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • file (something) against (someone)
  • have (something) on file
  • have on file
  • on file
  • file under
  • file under (something)
  • file 13
  • thirteen
  • file thirteen
  • file down
References in classic literature
& French, had taken from the file against Edmond Dantes, on the day he had paid the two hundred thousand francs to M.
Count of Monte Cristo
Gadon's conduct should be judged regardless of the outcome of the impeachment complaint against CJ Sereno or the cases he has filed or threatened to file against other court employees.
Gadon faces second disbarment complaint
First corruption reference was decided to file against Arshad Farooq Faheem and others.
The second corruption reference was decided to file against Asfand Yar Kakar, Ex-Minister, Food Balochistan and others.
The third corruption reference was decided to file against Mohammad Aslam Butt, Ex-Mayor, Municipal Corporation Gujranwala and others.
The fourth corruption reference was decided to file against Dr.
EBP NAB decides to file 5 more references
He said that Kerwin Espinosa might add a case against the senator, while the National Bureau of Investigation would file against De Lima, Ronnie Dayan, and Espinosa.
Aguirre: De Lima's disobedience case 'easiest to file'
The third corruption reference was decided to file against Aslam Butt, Ex-Mayor, Municipal Corporation Gujranwala and others.
NAB EBM-important decisions