pass sentence
Pronounce the verdict
To pass sentence is to formally announce a criminal's punishment after conviction: The judge will pass sentence tomorrow morning.
The phrase belongs to legal proceedings—it's what a judge does when deciding prison time, fines, or other penalties.
Figuratively, to pass sentence on something is to render final judgment: Critics were quick to pass sentence on the film.
- penalizeImpose a disadvantage for wrongdoing
- throw the bookImpose maximum legal consequences
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- convictJailed offender after trial
- guilty verdictCourt's culpability determination
punish · judge · incarceration · legal judgment · acquittal · mete out · retribution · hand down · pronounce · jury · verdict · trial · prosecution · decree · court order · ruling · hearing · defense