press charges

press charges

To make a formal legal complaint of wrongdoing or mistreatment against another person. A: "Is it true that Greg pressed charges against you?" B: "Yes, but his claim is completely false! I've never done anything to him!" I really hope our neighbors don't press charges against us—I never would have cut down that tree if I had known it was on their property!
See also: charge, press
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

press charges (against someone)

 and file charges (against someone)
Fig. to make a formal charge of wrongdoing against someone. They agreed not to press charges against me if I agreed to pay for the damages.
See also: charge, press
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

press charges

To bring a formal accusation of criminal wrongdoing against someone.
See also: charge, press
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • file charges
  • file charges against (one)
  • get up against
  • get up against (someone or something)
  • clash
  • clash against
  • clash against (someone or something)
  • build a case against (someone or something)
  • gather a case against (someone or something)
  • against (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
The 19-year-old told cops he did not want to press charges because he "felt ashamed" at what had happened.
Bujar Osmani threatened to press charges against everyone (parties and media) that brought BDI in the context of the recently revealed case of financial wrongdoing at the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund.
Since then, Gabi turned herself into the police for everything she had done, but feeling sympathy as a mother for Gabi's little girl, Abigail opted not to press charges. Knowing she has lost the support of many people in Salem after what she's done, Gabi has been determined to still do her best to move on with her life-including with her company, Gabi Chic.
"We notified the worker he can press charges if necessary, but no report has been submitted on the case for over 15 days," a police official said.
The memorandum stated the attorney general's office conducted a three-month investigation of its own, after which it also declined to press charges.
"We want the lady to resurface and press charges or else we charge the man with causing public nuisance," Thuku said.
A contract obtained yesterday by The Post shows Srey Neang's mother, Phon Malis, agreeing not to press charges against Samath in exchange for 1.4 million riel (about $350).
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin told reporters after visiting the Malaysia Halal Analysis Centre here today, that there was sufficient evidence including the chemist's report to press charges.
It takes to 15 the number of police forces that have submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), with decisions on whether to press charges due in late May and early June.
Mona Eltawahy, a well-known Egyptian writer who has long-spoken out against sexism, reported a minor sexual assault online and her decision not to press charges against her harasser.
Summary: Peruvian police said Monday they would press charges against a foreign man arrested in Lima last month, after he was found with traces of explosives and confessed to being a member of Hezbollah.
South Korean prosecutors are now considering whether to press charges over the case and the 25-year-old will have to pay for his own ticket back to Japan, officials said.
He's being held on $2,500 cash bail after his mother decided to press charges.
Although Zaev's slander against me concerns a non-existent act of more than ten years ago, I decided to press charges for slander just in case, so this manipulation could be sorted out, Gruevski says.