Press charges Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɹɛs/ /ˈtʃɑɹdʒəz/, /ˈtʃɑɹdʒɪz
PRES CHAR-jiz
pɹˈɛs/ /ˈt͡ʃɑːd͡ʒɪz
pres CHAR-jiz
Definition
To formally accuse someone of a crime to the police or authorities so that legal action can be started.
Usage & Nuances
Used in legal or police contexts, typically after an incident or crime. Only the victim (or their representative) can usually 'press charges'. Sometimes confused with 'file a complaint', but 'press charges' is specifically for criminal cases.
Spanish: presentar cargosPortuguese (BR): prestar queixa - apresentar denúncia (criminal)Portuguese (PT): apresentar uma queixa - fazer uma denúncia (criminal)Chinese (Simplified): 提出指控Chinese (Traditional): 提出指控Hindi: मुकदमा दर्ज करना - शिकायत करना (कानूनी)Arabic: تقديم بلاغ رسمي - رفع دعوى قضائيةBengali: মামলা করা - অভিযোগ দায়ের করা (ক্রিমিনাল)Russian: выдвинуть обвинения - подать заявление в полициюJapanese: 告訴する - 起訴するVietnamese: khởi tố - tố cáo hình sựKorean: 고소하다 - 형사 고발하다Turkish: dava açmak (suç duyurusunda bulunmak)Urdu: مقدمہ دائر کرنا - فوجداری الزام عائد کرناIndonesian: mengajukan tuntutan - melaporkan secara pidana
Example Sentences
She decided to press charges after the theft.
basic
Do you want to press charges against him?
basic
The victim decided not to press charges.
basic
If I were you, I wouldn’t hesitate to press charges.
natural
The police asked if she planned to press charges, but she just wanted an apology.
natural
His lawyer said he might press charges if the threats continue.
natural