press charges
idiom
: to take legal action against someone : to officially accuse someone of a crime
He was caught shoplifting, but the store owner didn't press charges.
Examples of press charges in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
McCaskill decided to press charges and an investigation is ongoing, according to a follow-up Facebook post on Oct. 23.
—
Colson Thayer, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Phoenix prosecutors eventually declined to press charges against Kelly.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 24 Oct. 2024
The cemetery official contacted police but ultimately decided not to press charges.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
The cemetery employee reported the incident but decided not to press charges.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for press charges 
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Colson Thayer, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Phoenix prosecutors eventually declined to press charges against Kelly.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 24 Oct. 2024
The cemetery official contacted police but ultimately decided not to press charges.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024
The cemetery employee reported the incident but decided not to press charges.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for press charges
Dictionary Entries Near press charges
Cite this Entry
“Press charges.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/press%20charges. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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