Jail sentence meaning in English

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Definition

a jail sentence: a period of time in prison idiom

Examples

  • "Far from it, I would envision a hefty fine and community service for the two of them. On the other hand, any effort you could make to avoid a jail sentence for Mr. Marron or Mr. Connors would be greatly appreciated, as they are valuable contributors to the Delavigne team, without whom we could not thrive."
Exercise 1
Bruno asks Commissioner Gorgon to show leniency. A "lenient" person is .

Bruno writes that he envisions a hefty fine for his two colleagues.
Let's break down this interesting term. In this context, "hefty" means , and a "fine" is .

Bonus question! "Oak Street" is a major street in San Francisco, but "an oak" is also a !
Bruno asks Commissioner Gorgon to show leniency. A "lenient" person is forgiving 1.

Bruno writes that he envisions a hefty fine for his two colleagues.
Let's break down this interesting term. In this context, "hefty" means substantial 2, and a "fine" is a financial penalty 3.

Bonus question! "Oak Street" is a major street in San Francisco, but "an oak" is also a tree and its wood 4!
1 forgiving: This is correct. A "lenient" person is "indulgent" or "forgiving" or "tolerant". "Leniency" describes the state of being indulgent or forgiving. In his letter, Bruno requests that Commissioner Gorgon show "leniency towards" his colleagues. This is a request for the Commissioner to give them special treatment, and not to punish them to the full extent of the law.
1 wise: This is incorrect. "Wise" and "lenient" do not share similar meanings. A "wise" person shows good judgment or discretion and makes smart, fair decisions. Example: Solomon is known as a wise king, although he did suggest splitting an infant in half once. Other "wise" entities: Owls, Athena, Confucius, Buddha, Moses Maimonides.
1 intelligent: This is incorrect. "Intelligent" and "lenient" do not share similar meanings. An "intelligent" person is smart, clever or possesses great intellect.
1 reasonable: This is incorrect. "Reasonable" and "lenient" do not share similar meanings. A "reasonable" person favors rational thought and logic, while a "lenient" person is "forgiving" or "indulgent".
2 substantial: This is correct. In the context of Bruno's letter, the term "hefty" means "considerable", "large" or "substantial". When Bruno writes that he envisions a "hefty fine" for his employees, he is suggesting that the authorities levy a significant financial penalty against Jean and Kevin. Note that in the strictest sense, "hefty" means "heavy" or "weighty", for example: Elephants, hippos and whales are very "hefty" animals. The Blue-footed Booby? Not so much.
2 minimal: This is incorrect. "Hefty" and "minimal" do not share similar meanings. "A minimal fine" would indicate the "minimum" or "smallest" financial penalty possible. This is not what Bruno envisions for his colleagues
2 nominal: This is incorrect. "Hefty" and "nominal" do not share similar meanings. "Nominal" has several meanings in English, however in this context, the term suggests that the "fine" would be "in name, or form only" or "a token gesture", in other words this fine would be "very insignificant". Another example: King Gustaf is the nominal chief of state, but the Parliament holds the real power in Sweden.
2 light: This is incorrect. "Hefty" and "light" do not share similar meanings. "A light fine" would describe a "small financial penalty", which is not what Bruno envisions for his colleagues.
3 a financial penalty: This is correct. A "fine" is a sum of money imposed as a penalty for an offense. "Fines" can be imposed for parking and traffic violations, small criminal offenses, delays in paying bills, etc. In his letter, Bruno writes that it would be appropriate for Commissioner Gorgon to demand a large sum of money from his two colleagues as a penalty for their offenses.
3 a jail sentence: This is incorrect. "A jail sentence" is the time or period in prison that someone is assigned after being convicted (or found guilty) of a crime. This period can range from 6 months to life (called a "life sentence"). Note that as a verb, "to sentence" is "to determine" the punishment or period of incarceration.
3 an official warning: This is incorrect. "A fine" is a financial penalty and not an "official warning". A "warning" is an alert or notification of something. For example: the policeman gave me a warning about speeding, but didn't give me a ticket.
3 a slap on the wrist: This is incorrect. "A slap on the wrist" is literally describes the action of hitting or striking someone lightly on around the hands, an action which doesn't hurt very much. "A slap on the wrist" is also an expression used to describe a light or mild criticism or punishment. For example: The politician got away with a slap on the wrist despite the serious nature of his crime.
3 a criminal record: This is incorrect. A "fine" is unrelated to "a criminal record", which is an official list of crimes for which a person has been previously convicted (or 'found guilty).
4 tree and its wood: This is correct. "Oak" is both a type of tree and wood (funny how that works). "Oaks" are strong trees and their wood is commonly used to create all types of furniture and flooring. In San Francisco, Oak Street runs west to east and straddles the panhandle, an extension of Golden Gate Park known for its basketball courts, drug dealers and homeless people.
4 fish in the flounder family: "Oak" is not a fish, and for the life of me I can't imagine what you were thinking when you clicked on this answer. But while you're here, we might as well French kiss or something. My parents won't be home for hours, and I've got that new Roxette album everyone's talking about. What do you say?
4 giant moose-like creature: Do not confuse the "Oak" with the "Elk", a fascinating antlered quadruped. Even though you were wrong on this one, I'd like you to know how much respect I have for you.
4 Japanese android which performs the functions of a wife and accountant : Thank you very much Mr. Roboto, but this type of android is unfortunately still just the stuff of fantasy... mine, mainly, but there is a burgeoning community clamoring for accountant/wife hybrid robots.
Exercise 2
"Bruno Delavigne is hardly fit to run a company".

The sentences below use the term "fit" in different ways. Select the appropriate explanation of the term "fit" in each case.

"It makes such a difference to wear shoes that fit".
The speaker is saying that it is best to wear shoes .

"The judge decided that I was fit to continue looking after my kids".
The judge has decided that the speaker is their children.

"Jogging is terribly boring, but it's a good way to get fit".
Here, the term "fit" means .
"Bruno Delavigne is hardly fit to run a company".

The sentences below use the term "fit" in different ways. Select the appropriate explanation of the term "fit" in each case.

"It makes such a difference to wear shoes that fit".
The speaker is saying that it is best to wear shoes of the right size 1.

"The judge decided that I was fit to continue looking after my kids".
The judge has decided that the speaker is capable of raising 2 their children.

"Jogging is terribly boring, but it's a good way to get fit".
Here, the term "fit" means healthy 3.
1 of the right size: This is the best choice here. In this context, shoes "which fit" are shoes which are the "right size". Example: "I love my new dress but I need to lose weight before it will fit me". This usage is different from that heard in the conversation.
1 made of leather: This is incorrect. "Leather" is a material made from animal skin, which is often used to make shoes, coats, bags, belts and sofas. This is unrelated to the meaning of the term "to fit".
1 which match: This is incorrect. "(Shoes) which match" are shoes which share the same colour or design, or complement each other. Example: "I refuse to waste my time looking for matching socks in the morning. Today one of my socks is blue, and the other is yellow".
1 designed for sport: This is incorrect. In another context, the adjective "fit" can be used to describe a person who is in good physical form, but it is unrelated to the context of this question. Sports shoes or "trainers" are worn by those who practise sport.
2 capable of raising: This is the best choice here. In this context, the term "fit" is used to mean "capable", "competent" or "able". This is the same usage as in the conversation, when Bruno quotes Sigourney's article: "Bruno Delavigne is hardly fit to run a company".
2 sentenced to raise: This is incorrect. In legal terms, the verb "to sentence" means to "decide" or "determine" a punishment for a guilty party. This idea is unrelated to being "fit" to do something.
2 willing to raise: This is incorrect. The expression "to be willing (to do something)" shares a similar meaning with "consenting", "agreeing", or being "prepared" to do something. Example: "I'm willing to share my sweets with you, if you'll agree to give me some of your orange juice". This idea is unrelated to being "fit" to do something.
2 scared of raising: This is incorrect. The term "scared" shares a similar meaning with "frightened" or "afraid". This idea is unrelated to being "fit" to do something.
3 healthy: This is the best choice here. As an adjective, "fit" means "in good physical shape" or "healthy". Example: "I've decided to eat better and get fit!". This is a different usage from that in the conversation.
3 some fresh air: This is incorrect. We say that we need "some fresh air" when we are feeling too hot, tired, or if there is a bad smell. To "get some fresh air" is a form of refreshment: it is revitalising. This may be true of jogging, but the term "fresh air" is unrelated to the term "fit".
3 thinner: This is incorrect. The term "thinner" is the comparative form of "thin". It means "less fat" or "more skinny" or "more slender". This is not the same meaning as the term "fit". Although "getting fit" may involve losing weight or becoming "thinner", this is not an accurate definition of the term "fit".
3 hungry: This is incorrect. To "get hungry" is to "feel the desire to eat". Example: "I get very hungry if I don't eat for two hours". This is unrelated to the meaning of the term "fit".

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