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
Prosecutors ultimately declined to press charges against Kennedy, and Lewber told PEOPLE during an exclusive interview in April that the altercation was only verbal.
—
Liza Esquibias, People.com, 8 July 2025
The other student’s family ultimately decided not to press charges.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In fact, Kove avoided a possible arrest after the incident Sunday involving fellow Cobra Kai actor Alicia Hannah-Kim at a fan convention in Puyallup, WA, only because Hannah-Kim declined to press charges after Kove bit her and tried to kiss the actress’ arm during an appearance.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Florida prosecutors later also dropped those charges because the victim didn’t want to press charges.
—Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
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Liza Esquibias, People.com, 8 July 2025
The other student’s family ultimately decided not to press charges.
—Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
In fact, Kove avoided a possible arrest after the incident Sunday involving fellow Cobra Kai actor Alicia Hannah-Kim at a fan convention in Puyallup, WA, only because Hannah-Kim declined to press charges after Kove bit her and tried to kiss the actress’ arm during an appearance.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Florida prosecutors later also dropped those charges because the victim didn’t want to press charges.
—Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for press charges
Cite this Entry
“Press charges.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/press%20charges. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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