sentence

Related to sentence: sentence structure, simple sentence

pass sentence (on someone or something)

1. Literally, of a judge, to determine and read out a sentence following a criminal conviction. Before I pass sentence, I want to allow a victim-impact statement to be read aloud before the court. The judge passed a sentence of 35 years on the convicted murderer.
2. To make or render a judgment someone or something, especially hastily or preemptively. I know you usually don't like musicals, but don't pass sentence until you see this one for yourself. The president has been quick to pass sentence on those who speak out against her policies.
See also: pass, sentence, someone

sentence (one) to (something)

To impose a particular legal penalty upon one who is found guilty of a crime. The judge sentenced the former CEO to 30 years in prison for his role in defrauding millions of customers over the span of 15 years. They sentenced him to 5 years of hard labor for simply stealing a loaf of bread.
See also: sentence
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pass sentence on someone

 
1. Lit. [for a judge] to read out the sentence of punishment for a convicted criminal. It is my job as judge to pass sentence on you. The judge was about to pass sentence on Max—ten years in prison.
2. Fig. [for someone] to render a judgment on another person in the manner of a judge. You have no right to pass judgment on me! I wish you wouldn't pass judgment on everyone around you.
See also: on, pass, sentence

sentence someone to something (for something)

[for a judge] to order someone to suffer confinement, death, or labor for committing a crime. The judge sentenced Roger to three years in prison for the crime. The judge sentenced him to hard labor.
See also: sentence
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • pass sentence (on someone or something)
  • pass sentence on
  • punctuate
  • punctuate (something) with (something)
  • punctuate with
  • pay (one's) debt to society
  • pay (one's) dues to society
  • pay one’s dues to society
  • I promise you
  • I promise you!
References in classic literature
I have not for a good while mentioned my governess, who had during most, if not all, of this part been dangerously sick, and being in as near a view of death by her disease as I was by my sentence, was a great penitent--I say, I have not mentioned her, nor indeed did I see her in all this time; but being now recovering, and just able to come abroad, she came to see me.
The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders
From it he derived strength to endure the torture, and to bear his sentence without flinching.
The Black Tulip
The effect of the conviction and severe sentences was a bad one on the union men.
The Valley of the Moon
They were stern enough to look upon her death, had that been the sentence, without a murmur at its severity, but had none of the heartlessness of another social state, which would find only a theme for jest in an exhibition like the present.
Scarlet Letter
As I reached the end of the sentence, I heard a faint cry from Miss Dunross.
Van Brandt vividly present to my mind, I arranged the first words of the sentence which was to tell my mother that my "infatuation" was at an end!
In my next sentence, I announced the date at which the vessel was to sail on the return voyage; and I mentioned the period at which my mother might expect to see me, weather permitting.
The Two Destinies
A murder by sentence is far more dreadful than a murder committed by a criminal.
The Idiot
The author of the HISTOIRE DU MONT BLANC introduced the closing sentences of Mr.
Tramp Abroad
The suspended sentence has some similarities to probation since, in both cases, if the convicted defendant does not breach the court order during the specified period of time, he or she can avoid imprisonment.
SUSPENDED SENTENCES AND SERVICE LABOR IN ISRAEL: FROM ALTERNATIVES TO IMPRISONMENT TO NET-WIDENING
During the sentencing hearing, the commonwealth argued that under Code 18.2-308.2(A), each of Botkin's convictions was subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of two years, and that each of those mandatory sentences was required to run consecutively with any other sentence, including each other.
Mandatory sentences to run consecutively
A prison sentence of "1 day to life" for individuals convicted of being "sexually delinquent persons" was never required by the statutory scheme but was instead an option that a trial court could use its discretion to consider imposing alongside other statutory penalties available.<br />"Defendant Lonnie Arnold masturbated in front of an employee at the Monroe Public Library in January 2014.
Criminal Sentencing - Sexually delinquent persons
A Kansas City mans argument that a 12-year sentence for second-degree murder was effectively a death sentence because of his health problems was not strong enough to sway a Missouri appellate court.
Court affirms mans murder sentence
They are: 1- Mohammad Jaafar Abbas Haji (10 years' sentence).
Kuwaiti MoI reveals names of captured 'Abdali cell' convicts
Among her topics are early sentencing practices for serious crimes: from the fixed sentence to indeterminate sentencing, commission-based sentencing guidelines in states, mandatory minimum sentencing and three strikes laws, philosophical issues and ethical challenges of sentencing reforms, and social science research into whether the goals of sentencing reform have been met.
Sentencing and Modern Reform: The Process of Punishment