serve a sentence . serve a sentence {v. phr.} To be in jail. Charlie served four years of an eight-year sentence, after which he was paroled and released. Categories: add yours {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 » In RussianTo section: S Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Add my comment