1 C1 idiomatic informal
To sentence someone to a term in prison for committing a specific offence.
"The judge sent him down for eight years after he was convicted of armed robbery."
inseparable
send down for
C1 informal inseparable transitive
To sentence someone to prison for a specific crime (British English).
In plain English
When a judge sends someone down for something, it means the person is going to prison because of that crime.
What does "send down for" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically send a person downward for a reason — loosely evoking old imagery of descending into a cell or dock.
Actually means
When a judge sends someone down for something, it means the person is going to prison because of that crime.
Usage tip
Primarily British English. The particle 'for' introduces the offence or the length of the sentence. Often used in news reporting.
Words that pair with "send down for"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
fraud murder robbery five years life manslaughter
How to conjugate "send down for"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
send down for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sends down for
he/she/it
Past simple
sent down for
yesterday
Past participle
sent down for
have + pp
-ing form
sending down for
continuous
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Other ways to say "send down for"
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